Minnesota Timberwolves forward Leonard Miller is currently gaining valuable experience playing for Team Canada in the AmeriCup. The 21-year-old can use it after minimal playing time at the NBA level in his first two years. Through three games with Canada, Miller has had a mixed bag of results and hasn't lit up the box score.
Miller hasn't been mighty productive in the first three games
Canada won Group B with a perfect 3-0 record and will be moving on to the quarterfinals. After two blowout victories, they won a close affair against Puerto Rico on Monday by the score of 82-73.
Timberwolves fans who normally wouldn’t pay attention to AmeriCup may feel more inclined to with Miller’s inclusion. While Canada is currently undefeated, the 6-foot-10 forward’s output hasn’t been noteworthy.
In the game against Puerto Rico, Miller shot just 4-15 from the field. 14 of those shots came from two-point range as he missed his only attempt from beyond the arc. He did grab nine rebounds.
The first two outings, against Venezuela and Panama, Miller combined to shoot 12-19 from the field, totaling 27 points. In those two contests, he also had 12 rebounds and five assists total. That is solid efficiency, but at the same time, Miller should look dominant in a tournament void of many NBA-caliber players.
On a team with only one other NBA player (Kyshawn George), the hope would be that Miller would dominate. Yes, Canada is undefeated, but Miller should be doing more to prove himself as a viable NBA player.
Pivotal third season for Leonard Miller
Preparing for his third NBA season, it is a pivotal one for Miller. He has a club option for 2026-27 worth $2,406,205. If he doesn’t find a way to see more playing time at the NBA next season, there’s a fairly good chance Minnesota declines, even with the option not being for a substantial amount.
While he’s received plenty of action in the G League, he’s played a total of 30 games for 84 minutes for the Wolves. The AmeriCup isn’t necessarily a well-publicized event, but it would be beneficial for Miller to show out more than he has.
Another season of Miller barely playing would make it difficult for him to garner a standard contract if his option is declined. Miller's next chance in the AmeriCup for Canada will take place on August 28 in the quarterfinals against a currently unknown opponent.