Brandon Miller Joins Top Three 2023 NBA Draft Talks

By Jeff Stinger • May 19, 2023

The 2023 NBA Draft looks set on Victor Wembanyama making the top of the pick list. But, what comes after the 19-year-old phenomenon? The real drama begins at No. 2. It appears the G League Ignite point guard Scoot Henderson was the prohibitive favorite following the French baller. But, with Charlotte getting the second pick, and with LaMelo Ball locked in at starting point guard, several mock drafts are thinking if the franchise might rethink their options and go for Alabama forward Brandon Miller.

Charlotte gets the No. 2 pick, while Portland has the No. 3 pick. The 20-year-old forward will likely land in either of these teams. With that, let’s take a look at his profile and the characteristics that make him a top NBA Draft prospect.

Nitrobetting is ready to dish out key assists and lob passes with betting tips and news coverage throughout the NBA. We break down the draft prospect, what he means to the sport, and the upcoming roster updates.

Brandon Miller’s Flight Path to the Pros

LaMelo Ball’s future with the Hornets is a good look for Miller. The Alabama forward is projected to go second overall. He’s a wing with size who can shoot. Brandon Miller made 38.4% of his 7.5 three-point attempts per game while leading his school to the outright SEC regular-season title.

Miller is a modern prototypical wing scorer. He is equally as comfortable coming off screens, standing as a screener, or hitting off the bounce. The Tennessee-born player is already a pro-level shot-maker. It’s impossible to look at him and not think of Brandon Ingram in his scoring talent that transcends across the floor.

There’s a case here for Miller going second overall in June’s draft. Gordon Hayward is nearing the end of the line with an expiring $31.5-million salary next season, and Kelly Oubre Jr. is about to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. With Ball, Miller, and big man Mark Williams, Charlotte could have a strong core three that includes a big man, wing, and point guard.

Six of the ten mock drafts have Miller going to the Eastern Conference, with four in favor of Henderson. Of course, that leaves the Trail Blazers with the other player. Does Portland want to rebuild around Henderson at the point and part ways with Damian Lillard in the offseason? Or will the other team join the fight for Henderson? Ultimately, this is a must-watch narrative on Draft Day.

Is Houston an Option?

The Western Conference franchise could be the biggest stretch of any team scoping out Miller. Although the Hornets and the Blazers are head-to-head with the forward, it’s nice to add another option to the storyline. The Rockets did not get the first-round pick this year, so how can they get a hot prospect like Brandon?

Let’s take a few steps back. Last year’s third overall NBA Draft pick, Jabari Smith, forged proper numbers in Houston. The idea of him forming a duo with a big win like Miller might be too tricky for their current system. Rafael Stone and the rest of the organizations have to think of another way for both names to co-exist. If this comes to fruition, the Rockets would have a talented young core of Smith, Miller, and former lottery pick Jalen Green in one lineup.

A Top-Six Destination?

The final team to complete the 2023 NBA Draft top five are the Detroit Pistons. However, we’ve seen predictions go the other way and create an entirely new report. The Orlando Magic gets the No. 6 pick right behind the Detroit Pistons. They were slated to have a pair of top-ten picks in June’s event but ended up with one.

A Miller and Paolo Banchero remain plausible depending on how the first five decisions turn out. The Magic have a pool of youngsters like Franz Wagner and Cole Anthony to work with. There could be trade packages in the mix as well. Either way, assembling a dynamic duo in the frontcourt could help this organization fight for a playoff position in the coming seasons.

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