Those in league circles have known for over a month how exactly the NBA Draft will begin on Thursday (8 pm ET, ABC/ESPN).
The San Antonio Spurs will use their No. 1 pick on Victor Wembanyama, a French phenom that has point guard-skills in a big-man’s body.
How will the rest of the NBA Draft continue? That part seems less certain.
Various mock drafts pin G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson and Alabama forward Brandon Miller at either No. 2 (Charlotte Hornets) or at No. 3 (Portland Trail Blazers). One opposing team’s executive, however, sounded clairvoyant with what will happen next.
“I don’t see in any way, shape or form that Charlotte doesn’t take Brandon Miller,” the executive told Sportsnaut.
ESPN reported that both the Hornets and Blazers invited Henderson and Miller for second workouts and interviews. Neither team can go wrong with either pick, though.
An executive considered Henderson to be the “best guard in the draft” after impressing talent evaluators with his athleticism, speed and playmaking during two seasons with G League Ignite. Talent evaluators have appeared just as enamored with Miller after winning SEC Freshman of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors. Ryan Blake, a longtime NBA consultant, likened Miller to “a smaller version of Kevin Durant.”
Which player should receive the No. 2 nod? Most teams maintain they follow the old adage with drafting the best player available over addressing positional needs. In this case, an exception could be warranted because of how talented both Henderson and Miller are.
Brandon Miller’s fit with LaMelo Ball and Hornets
Although he has thrived with sharing ball-handling duties with Dyson Daniels last season, Henderson is considered most effective as a ball-dominant point guard. In that case, Henderson could share play-making duties with either Portland’s Damian Lillard or Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball. Meanwhile, Brandon Miller could add additional wing depth to either team.
“I just don’t see Scoot and LaMelo playing in the backcourt,” an opposing NBA team’s executive said about the Hornets. “I just think they need a 3 badly.”
Charlotte forward Gordon Hayward remains under contract for two more years, worth $61.5 million. Yet, the 32-year-old forward has struggled with staying healthy in recent seasons. Miller could become an effective placeholder both to absorb any of Hayward’s future ailments or if they can find a team that wants to take on a soon-to-be expiring contract.
Nonetheless, the executive considered Miller to be “the second-best player in the draft.”
Despite Henderson’s strong attributes as a scorer and distributor, he shot poorly from 3-point range in 2021-22 (21.6%) and in 2022-23 (27.5%). Talent evaluators and those with G League Ignite expressed optimism that Henderson will improve those numbers for a few reasons. He has stayed disciplined with his shooting workouts. He has shown other skills that can still yield on-court value.
Still, Brandon Miller has reminded talent evaluators of Paul George — who Miller called his GOAT over Michael Jordan and LeBron James — because of how he scores and defends at multiple positions.
“He’s got NBA size for a position,” an opposing team’s executive told SportsNaut. “He can play two, three and four. He’s very skilled with the basketball. Not only can he score and shoot, but he can also be a playmaker. He’s got great vision.”
Will Brandon Miller’s off-the-court issues affect Draft status?
Brandon Miller may not yield significant questions about his game. But will he about a recent off-the-court incident?
Miller drove a car that had a gun that was allegedly used to kill Jamea Jonae Harris near the University of Alabama campus in January. Former Alabama basketball player Darius Miles and his friend, Michael Lynn Davis, were arrested and later charged for capital murder. Miller left the scene during the shooting and was never arrested or charged with a crime. Police also said Miller cooperated fully, while his attorney stressed his client wasn’t aware a gun was in his car when he picked up Miles.
“He’s gone through adversity,” Blake said. “I know the teams will be doing their homework on that.”
Nonetheless, The Athletic reported last month that various executives expressed doubt that would dissuade NBA teams from drafting Miller considering he didn’t face any charges.
Typically, NBA teams commit a significant amount of resources leading up to the Draft toward interviewing people that know a prospect well directly and indirectly about the player and his various influences. During pre-draft interviews, teams often raise past on and off-the-court incidents both to gauge the prospect’s honesty about the events and how that player changed his behavior afterwards. Usually, NBA teams steer clear of a certain prospect only if he is charged with a crime or has been linked to multiple transgressions.
When it comes to his on-court questions, however, Miller doesn’t elicit any major concerns.
He led the SEC in points per game (18.8) and 3-pointers made (2.8). He finished second in 3-point shooting (38.4%). And he ranked fourth in rebounds per contest (8.2). With the NBA valuing wing players for their positional versatility, Miller could carve out a niche in various areas quickly.
“He’s as well rounded as a young wing that everyone is looking for in the NBA,” an opposing team’s executive said about Miller. “He can shoot it from 3. He can put it on the floor and score from mid-range. He’s athletic enough to finish at the rim.”
And Brandon Miller has become good enough that he may very well become the No. 2 pick.
Mark Medina is an NBA Insider for Sportsnaut. Follow him on Twitter and on Instagram.