We're getting closer to next NBA season, and the Minnesota Timberwolves still have one of the deepest rosters in the association. While that's great news for the Wolves fanbase, it's less beneficial for players that look like they could end up totally buried by the team's depth like Leonard Miller.
It's been an interesting career for Miller thus far. While he's not lacking in upside, he simply hasn't been able to garner the kind of opportunity on the hardwood to prove his value. On top of that, he hasn't always blown us away with the opportunities he has gotten.
From the moment Leonard was drafted, he found himself sitting on the end of a very stacked bench. It was always going to make sense for him to get reps in the G League with the Iowa Wolves and work his way into the NBA club's rotation later. However, we still have yet to see that end result materialize.
The idea of Leonard Miller has always been a very good one. He has the physical tools and skillset to be a valuable rotation player in the league. And he's also now in a place where he has clearly proven that he's too good to be a career G League player. He absolutely belongs in the NBA, but in what size role I'm unsure.
Leonard Miller may not have much opportunity again this season
However, the problem here is that it's just increasingly hard to see him getting the kind of court time in Minnesota that he's deserving of unless something changes. It's pretty clear that at the very least, Jaylen Clark and Terrence Shannon Jr. are going to be ahead of him in minutes this coming season. Probably Rob Dillingham too.
Having been drafted two seasons ago now, Miller is eligible for an extension. He's under contract for the 2025-26 season, but the Timberwolves have a club option for his deal in the season after that.
I think the team's upcoming training camp might end up being a big turning point for Leonard's career. If he really comes in and shows out, it's reasonable to think that could instill enough confidence in the coaching staff to give him some early-season opportunities while Chris Finch starts figuring out his rotations.
But if Miller hasn't shown much improvement through the end of training camp and preseason, I don't think it's that crazy to think the Wolves could choose to go in a different direction. If they decide they want to fill that last roster spot with a more established veteran on a minimum deal, it may not make sense to keep number 33 around.