Is Leonard Miller the right fit for the OKC Thunder at pick 12?

How does Leonard Miller fit with the Oklahoma City Thunder? 

After reading the previous slide, you are likely thinking about how Leonard Miller matches what Sam Presti typically looks for. You might have even compared him to former first-round pick Darius Bazley. That is part of the reason many mock Miller to the Thunder.

Sure, Miller might be the better version of Darius Bazley, which would be a great thing. An athletic four that can switch and provide good defense while carving out an influential role on offense sounds fantastic for this Thunder team.

The next thing you are likely thinking about is Ousmane Dieng. Every time I discuss Leonard Miller, Thunder fans ponders if there are enough developmental minutes for Dieng and Miller.

That answer is a resounding yes. Mark Daigneault will again play 10-12 players per game for 82 games next season. On top of that, we have seen the impact Kameron Woods and the OKC Blue in the G-League have on players. For example, it prepared Jaylin Williams for an important second-half run that saw him starting postseason games as a rookie.

Despite having a superstar and a great core of players, this Thunder roster is not at a point where there is no room for a 19-year-old with Leonard Miller’s upside that has improved vastly year over year.

However, there is no secret that the OKC Thunder are starring down the barrel of a roster churn thanks to their future draft assets. If Miller were the selection and popped, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl’s days in Bricktown would be numbered past this season. Unfortunately, there are not enough seats at the table in Oklahoma City.

Leonard Miller in Mark Daigneault’s defensive scheme and this cut-heavy offense would be incredibly fun to watch.