If everything goes according to plan, Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson will be the Chicago Bulls' starting forward duo for the next 10 years. But they can't do it alone.
Leonard Miller is showing why he could be a useful partner for those two as long as they call the Windy City home.
The old "preseason sample size alert" is necessary here, but Miller has played a major role for head coach Tiago Splitter in his team's first two exhibition contests. Across 37 minutes in those two games, the 22-year-old has totaled 26 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals on 10-of-18 shooting.
But it was his performance against the Memphis Grizzlies on Oct. 19 — in one area of the floor specifically — that showed why his skill set is such a snug fit alongside Wilson and Buzelis.
Leonard Miller dominated the offensive glass in Bulls' preseason loss to Grizzlies
With Jalen Smith, Nicolas Claxton and Zach Collins injured and Buzelis exiting early, Miller came off the bench and played 23 minutes in the loss to Memphis, finishing with 12 points and 11 rebounds. He had eight points and eight rebounds in the first half alone.
Most impressively, though, seven of those 11 rebounds came on the offensive glass.
As exciting as Wilson and Buzelis are, the Bulls' big man rotation isn't exactly deep. Or skilled, for that matter. Claxton, Smith and Collins are solid at best. Undrafted free agent Tobe Awaka started at center against the Grizzlies.
Miller is not a five. But he is 6-foot-10 and 220 pounds, and considering Chicago's roster skews more toward wings than bigs, his size should be an important asset for Splitter.
Miller's game complements Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson
Buzelis and Wilson are both more perimeter-oriented, jumbo wings than true power forwards. Miller is more of the latter than the former.
The Canadian-born, former G League Ignite standout is most comfortable using his frame, motor and athleticism to do damage inside, in transition and off second-chance opportunities. He's an improving 3-point shooter (he shot 35.6 percent from deep last season and has hit a three in each of this year's preseason contests) but is an efficient, low-volume scorer near the rim.
That's a fun archetype for Buzelis and Wilson to play with. Miller would give them another big athlete to run alongside. He could be interchangeable on the fast break. His ability to work at the rim and gobble up offensive rebounds would pair nicely with two elite athletes who feel more comfortable working from the outside in.
Miller is already proving to be more valuable to the Bulls than they likely anticipated heading into this season.
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