2023 NBA Draft Profile: Brandon Miller would give Wizards short and long-term stability
Brandon Miller would give Wizards youth at pivotal position originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
The Washington Wizards have the eighth-best odds in the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery. Here is the latest in our series of draft prospects who could fall around where the Wizards will select...
2023 NBA Draft Wizards Prospect Profile: Brandon Miller
Team: Alabama Crimson Tide
Position: Small Forward
Age: 20
Height: 6-9
Weight: 200 lbs
Wingspan: 6-11
2022/23 stats: 37 G, 18.8 ppg, 2.1 apg, 8.2 rpg, 0.9 spg, 0.9 bpg, 43.0 FG% (6.0/13.9), 38.4 3PT% (2.9/7.5), 85.9 FT% (3.9/4.6)
Player comparison: Paul George
Projections: NBC Sports Washington 3rd, Ringer 3rd, Athletic 3rd, ESPN 2nd, NBADraft.net 2nd, Bleacher Report 3rd
5 things to know:
- A year ago Brandon Miller was not on anyone's radar to become a top-three pick in the upcoming 2023 NBA Draft. He wasn't even in consideration for being a lottery pick. Ranked 14th in his recruiting class, having a long frame at the wing position and entering Nate Oats' system with Alabama set him up to have many of the prototypical skills expected of NBA prospects. It did not take long for him to establish himself as one of the stars of this class with his combination of size, ball-handling and ability to knock down shots. Now it would be a shocker if he wasn't called third or better on draft night.
- Miller is what the public would consider an NBA scout's dream. His length (6-foot-9), his 3-point shooting (38.4%), impacting the game in multiple ways (8.2 rebounds per game) all are skills that analysts covet when it comes to a prospect. Not only does he do all those things, but he also looks the part. Miller's burst and athleticism were leaps and bounds ahead of his competition in the SEC, one of the country's best conferences.
- Drafting Scoot Henderson or Miller at No. 2 will be one of the great debates that will go into draft night. When drafting this high it's always draft the best player available but you'll likely see some teams decide here based on fit and need. For instance, if Detroit jumps to the second selection, Henderson might not be the best choice with Miller available when you already have Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. You can't go wrong with either of the two as they're both projecting to be future All-Stars.
- Miller was a legacy recruit at Alabama, kind of. His dad played tight end for one year with the Crimson Tide in 1991 and from there that became the family's school. He has other athletes in his family as well, his brother Darrell Miller Jr. plays basketball overseas. His sister Britany plays at Cumberland University.
- Miller was involved in a capital murder trial earlier this season. A Tuscaloosa police officer testified that Miller drove a vehicle, which contained a firearm, to teammate Darius Miles. That firearm was used the same evening in a shooting of Jamea Jonae Harris. The Tuscaloosa County chief deputy district attorney said that Miller faces no charges in connection to the incident.
Fit with Wizards:
Miller addresses a lot of needs that the Wizards have identified this offseason. He's a great 3-point shooter, has a natural playmaking ability and has long length which would be disruptive on defense. Better yet, he can fit in as a complimentary piece in the starting unit or be the initiator of a less-experienced second unit.
Yes, it would be the fourth straight wing (if considering Rui Hachimura a wing) that the Wizards have drafted in row. However, the potential which Miller brings would be too much to pass up.
Given the draft history, there is a presumed log-jam at the small forward position. If Washington re-signs Kyle Kuzma this offseason, that would give them three SFs who will all be fighting for minutes with Corey Kispert and Deni Avdija. Throwing Miller into that mix would force head coach Wes Unseld Jr. to craft some interesting rotations (moving Kispert up to the two position or Kuzma down to the four).
But the ambiguity around Kuzma's future also has the future of the position in question. Avdija is a restricted free agent next season, which could leave Kispert as the only potential small forward on the roster beyond this year.
Regardless, Miller would be a player who has the talent to make the starting lineup in year one. Snagging him would immediately improve the team and raise their ceiling for the 2023-24 season, on top of adding a player who has All-Star potential down the line. His addition would provide a significant jolt to the future of this team.
To get Miller, the Wizards would need to move up in the lottery, likely into the top three at a minimum and possibly into the top two depending on who else jumps that high. They have a 7.0% chance of picking second and 7.4% odds of picking third. Their odds of picking top three are 21.1%. If they did move up and the stars aligned, Miller would be a valuable addition and give Washington some leverage at a position that has become one of the most important in the league.
