New Orleans Pelicans: Darius Miller Hopes to Prove Himself in Orlando

Darius Miller has been working towards a comeback for the New Orleans Pelicans and hopes to contribute in the Orlando conclusion to the season.

When the New Orleans Pelicans signed Darius Miller to a two-year contract a year ago on this day, they thought he would be an important bench contributor.

Miller promptly injured himself just over a month later, and on August 29th, 2019 the Pels announced he would be out indefinitely with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Most thought this would be the end of Miller’s time with the Pelicans, as he was not set to return until the season took an unprecedented turn.

The suspension of play gave Miller time to get healthy and try to get himself ready to contribute when things kick off in Orlando.

Miller did a Q&A with the media in which he talked about his plans to return, saying:

"“I stayed in the city while all this was going on.”"

New Orleans Pelicans: Darius Miller hopes to contribute

Miller was one of the players (along with rookie Zion Williamson) who was permitted to work out with trainers at the team facility during the lockdown.

Miller had the best year of his career last season, averaging 8.2 points and 2.1 assists and most importantly, was shooting 36.5% from 3-point range on 5.3 attempts per game.

He had emerged as an important 3-and-D bench wing for the New Orleans Pelicans, which is why he got the two year deal.

This eight game finale will serve as an important try out of sorts for Miller, as the Pelicans have to decide on his contract before the $7 million he is owed next season becomes fully guaranteed.

Originally the Pelicans would have had to make this choice by July 8, and almost certainly would not have picked up Miller’s option, but because everything is being pushed back, they have more time to evaluate his fit moving forward.

The suspension of play actually worked out for Miller, who now gets a chance to prove he was worth the contract and worth keeping for next season.