Brandon Miller is done with Summer League and leaving Las Vegas without the NBA’s best rookies the rest of the way.
The Hornets announced Thursday that the No. 2 will no longer play Coach’s decision. Miller joins Victor Wembanyama on the Summer League sideline after the San Antonio Spurs lost the No. 1 overall pick after two games.
No. 3 overall Scoot Henderson is also unlikely to return after the Portland Trail Blazers rookie sustained a right shoulder strain on his Summer League debut on Friday. Also in that game, No. 4 pick Amen Thompson suffered a sprained ankle and was ruled out by the Houston Rockets for the remaining games. The league will play its championship game on Monday without the top four picks of the draft.
Miller’s three-game streak in the Summer League was mixed. The 6’1″ forward, who was drafted for his shooting and scoring skills, averaged 17.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. His shot selection and success rate left a lot to be desired, shooting 35.4% from the field and 26.1% from 3-point range.
The Summer League is of course not a reliable indicator for the future. But Miller’s shooting problems will fuel the discussion. The Hornets made a mistake taking him over Henderson.
For Hornets fans looking for solace, Wembanyama is the place to be. He also struggled with his shot, shooting 40.7% from field and 30% from 3-point range in two Summer League games. No sane observer is raising red flags about his performance, which also included 13.5 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks per game.
Brandon Miller’s Summer League is complete. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Rookies having trouble shooting are standard in the NBA. Miller’s low odds in friendlies are nothing to worry about. But how Miller stacks up against Henderson during her rookie season will be one of the most-watched storylines of the upcoming NBA season.