It was back in 2023 when Leonard Miller was selected just outside the first round with the 33rd overall pick. The Timberwolves clearly liked him as a player, as they gave up a 2026 and 2028 second-round pick to the Spurs in order to acquire his services. After two seasons and minimal game action for the Wolves, it’s an important year for the 6-foot-10 forward as the team has a club option for him in 2026-27.
Leonard Miller has barely played for the Timberwolves in his first two seasons
Thus far in his NBA career, Miller has played a grand total of 30 games for 84 minutes. In two lengthy postseason runs by Minnesota, he has only appeared in garbage time (6 appearances for 20 minutes).
The 21-year-old (turns 22 on November 26) has seen much of his action in the G League. Prior to being drafted, he played one year for the now-defunct G League Ignite.
The past two years, Miller’s G League action has been with the Iowa Wolves. He has been a rather productive player for them. Last season in 26 combined regular season and Tip-Off Tournament outings, he posted averages of 24.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks.
Production at the G League doesn’t always mean that the player is NBA-caliber, though. There have been plenty of instances of guys putting up numbers there but showing themselves not to be NBA-ready when moving up to that level.
Miller has a club option for 2026-27
As a second round pick, Miller hasn’t been on an expensive contract. His club option for 2026-27 is worth only $2,406,205.
Still, another season of him not being trusted for any meaningful minutes could lead to Minnesota declining the option. With his young age, he likely would find an Exhibit 9 or 10 contract for another team, but a standard contract might be difficult for Miller to procure.
The third-year player is gaining valuable experience with Canada at the men’s FIBA AmeriCup tournament, which has just begun. Whether that translates to more playing time at the NBA level remains to be seen.
Much of the offseason talk has surrounded other young players expected to receive more playing time, such as Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon Jr., and Jaylen Clark. Miller needs to find a way to get his name in the mix as well, or this could be his last season in a Wolves jersey.