Minnesota Timberwolves coach reveals strict warning he gave Leonard Miller ahead of Summer League

Kevin Hanson on Leonard Miller’s growth as a player

Following the 16-point win over the Pistons, Timberwolves’ Summer League coach Kevin Hanson addressed the media.

During the postgame interview, Hanson spoke about Miller and also revealed a major warning that the 21-year-old was issued last season.

“What I told him before Summer League started, if you want to play next year, you have to show you can defend.

“His offense, it’ll be there, it’ll come and go. If he’s one for three in a game in a short stint, but he’s defending, we can live with that. We’re good with that,” Hanson revealed to the media.

He added: “But if he’s one for three and he’s giving up back cuts, we’re gonna have a problem with it.”

While coach Hanson would prefer a defensive masterclass from Miller, he had an all-around dominant performance vs the Pistons. After all, Miller was 8-of-12 from the field in his 20-point scoring night.

Leonard Miller’s NBA career

Unlike many Summer League players, Miller isn’t an undrafted prospect. In fact, he has already spent two seasons with the Timberwolves.

The organization acquired draft rights from the San Antonio Spurs to select him with the 33rd overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Being a second-round pick, Miller still has a long way to go before earning regular minutes on the Timberwolves, as he has averaged just 1.6 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 0.3 assists per game in his career.

But he can change that if he continues to impress on the defensive end of the floor, as there’s hardly any team that doesn’t love a 6’10” forward who can defend well.