2023 NBA Draft Team Recap: Minnesota Timberwolves
In an offseason that did not see a ton of major moves disrupt rosters - outside of a handful of teams - the Minnesota Timberwolves were yet another organization that kept things pretty much status quo from the 2022-23 campaign.
There was the major contract extension for Anthony Edwards and the more modest one for Naz Reid, along with some lower level free agent signings but the most notable - and perhaps exciting - addition to the roster was via the 2023 NBA Draft.
While Cam Whitmore dropping all the way to No. 20 overall was the biggest surprise during the draft, Leonard Miller being available at pick No. 33 had to put a smile on GM Tim Connelly’s face. Not only was most of the pre draft conversation around Miller projecting a first-round pick, there was even some lottery buzz.
Ultimately, the toolsy G League Ignite forward did fall into the second round and the Wolves snatched him up along with giving him a guaranteed contract and spot on the 15-man roster.
The archetype and role for Miller has changed from his time at Fort Erie International Academy. Going into the 2022 NBA Draft process he was looked at as a 6-foot-10 jumbo creator, but after a rough pre-draft process and season with the Ignite things changed.
Miller has now taken those passing and ball handling skills that were a little too weak for a creator and turned them into positional positives as a forward and even potential small ball big.
The jumper will ultimately decide his ceiling but he has shown some growth and he made 37% from beyond the 3-point line at NBA Summer League while also shooting 86% from the charity stripe.
While the Timberwolves were surely excited about Miller falling to them in the draft, it may not prove to be the best landing spot for him if he was looking for early playing time in the NBA.
With the investments in the big man rotation of Karl Anthony-Towns, Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid along with Kyle Anderson and impressive 23-year-old Jaden McDaniels, there just aren’t many more minutes to go around. They could try playing Miller at the three but that may not be best for him - or the team - depending on how the shooting continues to progress.
A player that will not be factoring into the rotation is fellow second round pick Jaylen Clark, but that is due to injury. He suffered an unfortunate achilles injury at the end of the UCLA Bruins season that caused him to miss the entire offseason and will most certainly carry over into the majority of his rookie season.
Clark was still named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year during his junior campaign and is an intriguing name to keep in mind a year from now when he will hopefully be fully recovered from his injury.
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