For the second straight game, the Minnesota Timberwolves were without the services of Anthony Edwards and Mike Conley. Also, for the second straight game, they came out victorious on Sunday. It’s also Minnesota’s seventh win in the last eight games.
Despite being down two rotational pieces, Leonard Miller still isn’t seeing any action. One has to wonder if his tenure with the Timberwolves is nearing its end.
Leonard Miller has only seen garbage time with the Timberwolves
Selected early in the second round (33rd overall) in the 2023 NBA Draft, Miller is in the midst of his third year in the league. The 22-year-old forward is still looking for the first instance of his career where he can say that he is a normal part of the Timberwolves rotation.
Thus far this year, Miller has appeared in nine games for 38 minutes. In that time, he has totaled 15 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists. All of his action has been in garbage time, as he hasn’t played in a game in which the final margin was within single digits.
Miller has only played in 39 games for Minnesota (plus six in the playoffs). Remarkably, not in a single one of those has he seen at least 10 minutes of playing time.
Miller has a club option for next season
In the final guaranteed year of his deal, Miller has a club option worth $2,406,205 for the 2026-27 season. If the Timberwolves believed in Miller, picking it up for such a low amount would be a no-brainer. Instead, there’s a good chance they don’t. The possibility also remains that he is thrown into a trade as salary filler if Minnesota goes the route of making a deal by the trade deadline.
In the offseason, Miller had the opportunity to receive more valuable playing experience for Team Canada in the AmeriCup. It was a bit of a red flag, though, that Miller had a middling run there against lighter competition, as very few NBA players took part in the tournament.
It has to be difficult for Miller. At least he received minutes when sent down to the G League to play for the Iowa Wolves the last two years. This season, Miller has remained with the Timberwolves, and he has mostly remained glued to the bench.
At just 22, I don’t think Miller’s NBA career is over after the year. If Minnesota declines his option, I expect another team to give him a shot. It may be on a two-way contract (next season is the last one that Miller is eligible for a two-way) contract or a non-guaranteed, prove-it deal, though, rather than a standard one.