2023 Mock Draft 2.0: Spurs roll the dice, Hornets win Wembanyama sweepstakes

If I’m the Detroit Pistons brass and Brandon Miller is still available at #4 overall, I’m making sure to sprint to the podium to take the Alabama freshman off the board. Unlike the Spurs, who are still very early in their rebuild, the Pistons have their primary option in Cade Cunningham along with a couple of high-upside building blocks (Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren) to complement him, both of whom have looked the part of outstanding supporting pieces at the very least. Plainly, this pick wouldn’t have to get too philosophical. 

As outstanding of a scorer as Miller is, I don’t think he has the superstar upside that Wembanyama and Henderson both have, and I think even the Thompson twins could become better players if their development goes particularly well. But size, shooting, and fluidity tend to stick on some level in the NBA pretty reliably, which is why I consider Miller to be one of the safer picks toward the top of the draft board. 

Were Miller to be selected by Detroit, he wouldn’t have to worry about developing into a reliable advantage creator early in his career. Rather, he would be able to maximize his offensive strengths playing off of the Pistons’ dynamic Cunningham-Ivey backcourt, operating mostly as a spot-up and movement shooter while only occasionally taking defenders off the dribble. Considering that Miller is already comfortable with putting the ball on the floor, pulling up in the midrange, and making plays for teammates when he can’t score on his own, Miller would round out the Pistons’ offense quite well while still being able to hold his own on defense.