If you asked Tyronn Lue or any of the players on the Los Angeles Clippers, none of them could have expected the season to play out the way it has. After winning 50 games in the 2024-25 campaign, the Clippers made some roster changes that had them arguably looking better, but it's turned into an uphill battle.

The Clippers have since fought their way into the mix for a play-in tournament seed, but it's come with them calling upon younger players that likely weren't expected to play much of a role this season. One of those players is Jordan Miller, who has really turned things around as of late.

A 2023 second-round draft pick from the University of Miami who helped lift the team to consecutive Elite Eight appearances as well as a Final Four, Miller has really only drawn spotlight in his career up until this point by thriving in the G League and the NBA Summer League.

However, in January, Miller entered Thursday's contest against the LA Lakers averaging 10.8 points on 51.8% shooting from the field, adding 1.1 steals per game as well. Before the start of Thursday's contest, Lue was asked about what has impressed him about Miller, pointing to his abilities on the defensive end.

"What he's been able to do defensively. Like that's been his challenge, just challenging him every single night to be good defensively. I think two of the last three games he had four steals," Lue said.

Dating back to his time at Miami, Miller was viewed as a quality defender, often guarding players much bigger than him, given he's smaller for a forward at 6-foot-5. Regardless, he's starting to translate it now to the NBA, guarding faster and quicker players as well as forcing turnovers.

"We knew he could score the basketball, but just being efficient, getting to the free-throw line, making plays for other guys when he gets into the paint. Just overall, he just gotten a lot better," he added.

Miller enters Thursday's game on a five-game streak of scoring double-digit points, and was able to extend it and counting. He might not be the flashiest player or have the highest ceiling, as he's set to turn 26 on Friday, but he has all the tools to be a quality role player in the NBA for several years.

However, the Clippers did waive Miller and convert him back to a two-way contract this season, and his recent plays make him well deserving of a standard contract and some guaranteed money for his next deal.