The Los Angeles Lakers have been searching for a long, two-way, versatile wing for what feels like an eternity. The NBA Draft may just gift them exactly that.
The Lakers are slotted to select 25th overall in June's draft and have already started the pre-draft workout process. Out of the ten players the Lakers have worked out to this point, Baba Miller is the biggest standout as the Cincinnati forward could be a perfect fit for the Lakers.
The senior is a projected early second-round pick for most outlets right now, but his defensive tools, guard-like ball skills, rebounding, and size could make him worth the reach at 25.
Baba Miller is a calculated risk the Lakers should consider
This past season, he averaged 13.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.9 stocks (steals and blocks) per game for the Cincinnati Bearcats.Â
Miller measured in at 6-foot-10.5 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan and a 9-foot-3 standing reach at the combine. These measurements, paired with his production at Cincinnati last season, have caught the eyes of many, but don't shock those who have been following Miller for some time.
Going back to the 2023 NBA draft, Miller, who was with Florida State at the time, was viewed as a potential first-round pick in a draft class headlined by Victor Wembanyama. A struggle with adjusting to newfound size changed that.
At the end of high school, Miller went from being a 6-foot-2 guard to a near 6-foot-11 wing in a short amount of time. Similar to Scottie Pippen and his famous growth spurt, this change was awkward at first, and he struggled on the court because of it.
Now, after four years in college, he's learned how to balance his size with his skill. Miller has developed into the ideal NBA point forward, as not only can he operate ball screens well, but he also just sees the game so well. He's comfortable and controlled enough to be a really strong secondary playmaker down the road.
The biggest draw is his defense and athleticism. Miller jumps out of the gym, whether that's on a fastbreak dunk or a chase-down block. He flies all over the place and is always covering so much ground, making him the type of threat JJ Redick needs in the passing lanes around players like Luka Doncic.
Miller has active hands and is more than capable both on and off the ball, shifting his hips and moving his feet well to shut off driving lanes. While he may need to get stronger to truly compete with NBA-level centers, he has the tools to guard one through five.
Miller is also an exceptional rebounder. Despite the thin frame, he knows how to position himself and create advantages for himself on box outs.
Circling back to his passing, he has struggled with turnovers, having a 1.7 assist-to-turnover ratio this past season. However, the context here is key: with the Lakers, he wouldn't be tasked with the playmaking he did at Cincy because of Luka, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves.
So, maybe say that he sounds a lot like Aduo Thiero as a super athlete that mucks things up defensively, but there's a massive difference. Miller is ready to go from day one.
He's still got some rawness to his game, and definitely needs to improve his outside jumper from sub-20 percent. But he has four years of experience and can be an impact player from day one, while still giving Rob Pelinka a player with long-term upside.
If the Lakers are looking for someone who can be a true Swiss Army Knife and isn't even close to his potential yet, reaching for Miller should be their plan on draft night.
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