Leonard Miller Capitalizes on Rising Role in Chicago Bulls, Fueled by Readiness

Before landing in Chicago, Leonard Miller endured tough years as a back-end piece, warming the bench and guarding water fountains. While waiting for a legitimate opportunity to prove himself, the Canadian international always stayed ready for whatever came next. 

Now with the Chicago Bulls, he's shining just as the team needs him most — even as the franchise wallows as a rebuilding but unpromising program.

"That was something I wish had happened since the moment I got into the league," Miller said.

After spending three seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves, he managed just 93 career points in extremely limited opportunities. But since arriving in Chicago 15 games ago, he's already made six starts and surpassed his entire Minnesota scoring output with 131 points.

"I just got to wait until the time comes, and then when the time comes, just seize the opportunity. You work so hard every day, and then I feel like that preparation leads to high performance," Miller explained.

Acquired at the trade deadline as part of the package alongside 21-year-old sophomore Rob Dillingham in exchange for Ayo Dosunmu, Miller has integrated seamlessly into his new environment. He said he felt at home in Chicago from his first day at the facility.

Clearly, the Bulls are investing in the 22-year-old wing. Through short-term adaptation and extensive film study with the coaching staff, he's figured out his role under Billy Donovan and capitalized on those opportunities. Over his 15-game sample, Miller has averaged 8.7 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 62.1% from the field — all career highs.

"Here (in Chicago), coaches are emphasizing spacing the floor, attacking in the open offense, just playing wide," Miller said, indicating there's greater freedom to operate in space and create open looks compared to Minnesota's more structured system.

Kudos to his eagerness to learn. Miller has transitioned smoothly, benefiting from playing in space and immersing himself as a spark-plug player who generates immediate impact once he checks in. Most of these impressive performances occurred in March. Following his 15-point showing against Milwaukee that snapped the Bulls' 11-game losing streak, he rattled off five consecutive starts, including a career-high 17 points and 11 rebounds that significantly contributed to an overtime victory against the Golden State Warriors.

Beyond readiness, his hunger fuels everything.

"I feel like everything's gonna fall if I just keep working hard and playing with a mindset like 'I gotta want it and play hungry.' I feel like that's who I am," Miller said.

Against Cleveland in Thursday night's back-to-back home game, he delivered 10 fourth-quarter points while contributing defensive pressure as the Bulls nearly erased a 29-point deficit.

Though the Bulls remain struggling since the deadline while meshing seven new players into the rotation, Miller, one of those newcomers, believes encouraging signs emerged despite the eventual 115-110 loss to Cleveland.

"I feel like it's a good sign that we're able to get things going collectively," he said. "You can see the bench was involved. The players on the floor were heavily engaged and locked into coming back from so far down."

With 12 games remaining to close the season, Miller wants to help the Bulls sustain a higher standard of play.

"When we got things going in games that we have, we're playing at a higher level," he said.