Alabama Crimson Tide forward Brandon Miller is coming off an absolutely brilliant freshman season that culminated in him struggling with a groin injury late in the campaign.
Miller’s freshman season in Tuscaloosa was also defined by former teamamte Darius Miles being charged with capital murder in the shooting death of a woman back on Jan. 15.
While Miller has not been charged in the incident, his close proximity to what happened drew headlines around the college basketball world. Primarily, authorities indicating that he drove the vehicle containing the gun used in the murder.
With all of this as a backdrop, Miller has announced his intention to go pro. He will enter the 2023 NBA Draft and is seen as a legitimate top-five prospect. In fact, some view Miller as the second-best prospect in the class behind Victor Wembanyama.
- Brandon Miller stats (2022-23): 18.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.1 APG, 43% shooting, 38% 3-point
The No. 11 overall recruit in the Class of 2022 out of Cane Ridge High Scool in Tennessee, Miller is right there with Scoot Henderson as the top prospect behind a generational talent in the aforementioned Wembanyama.
Related: Sportsnaut’s 2023 NBA mock draft
Landing spots for Brandon Miller in 2023 NBA Draft
- Houston Rockets: The No. 1 overall pick in last year’s NBA Draft, Jabari Smith has put up a brilliant performance as a rookie in Houston. The idea of teaming him up with a big wing in that of Miller might be too hard for general manager Rafael Stone and Co. to pass up on. It would create a talented young core of Smith, Miller and former lottery pick Jalen Green in Houston. Based on Sportsnaut’s NBA power rankings, Houston is slated to pick No. 2 in the 2023 NBA Draft.
- San Antonio Spurs: If Gregg Popovich and Co. miss out on landing the top pick in the NBA Draft Lottery, Miller would not be a bad backup plan. San Antonio needs an infusion of young talent after yet another down season. We’re not sure how much longer current starting small forward Keldon Johnson will be with the Spurs. Teaming Miller up with 2022 draft picks Malaki Branham and Jeremy Sochan would make sense. In this scenario, Branham takes over at the two with Brandon Miller playing the three.
Related: Top 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year candidates
- Orlando Magic: Boasting one of the most-talented young teams in the NBA, Orlando is slated to have two top-10 picks in the 2023 NBA Draft. Depending on how the lottery goes, it could opt to package both of those picks in a move up scenario for Miller. The idea would be to team him with stud young power forward Paolo Banchero. The Magic also have youngsters such as Franz Wagner and Cole Anthony they could entice in a package to move up for Miller. Either way, creating a dynamic duo in the frontcourt could help this organization return to relevance.
- Portland Trail Blazers: It seems to be a foregone conclusion at this point that Damian Lillard has played his final game with the Blazers. He’s not happy about the consistent losing and wants to play for a contender. Who can blame him? If this is indeed the case, it would then be all about Portland building around two wings in that of Shaedon Sharpe and Anfernee Simons. So, where woud Brandon Miller fit into the equation? It’s simple. He’d play a small four with Sharpe at the three and Simons handling off-ball duties. This is where the modern NBA is going, and could help Portland expedite its pending rebuild.