2023 NBA Mock Draft 3.0: Blazers and Bulls find new life
149. . F, Alabama. Oklahoma City Thunder. Brandon Miller. 11. player
The talented 6-foot-9 wing from Alabama has set the college basketball world on fire. Brandon Miller has been arguably the most productive freshman to date, quickly rising up draft boards and cementing himself in the lottery conversation.
Some very smart people have Miller in the top five, and there’s every chance he reaches that point come summertime. Not many players possess Miller’s blend of size, fluidity, and shot-making upside. He’s drilling 45.7 percent of his 7.3 attempts per game from deep and there have been intriguing passing flashes for good measure.
So, why does Miller fall to No. 11? Well, there are some underlying concerns — mainly related to processing speed and efficiency inside the arc, where his paper-thin frame and loose handle can be problematic. He should get stronger will time, though, and there’s plenty of reason to buy the adventurous playmaking upside.
As for OKC, it’s an appropriate upside swing for one of the league’s youngest teams. The Thunder already have multiple quality playmaking engines, so Miller’s role early in his career would be appropriately streamlined.