Every other day leading up to the 2025-26 regular season, Pippen Ain’t Easy will profile a Chicago Bulls player, reviewing their contributions from last season and projecting their role for the year ahead.
We’re kicking off our player preview series with two-way signee Emanuel Miller. The 6-foot-7 forward joined the Bulls on a two-way contract last December, after an impressive stint with the Dallas Mavericks’ G League affiliate, the Texas Legends.
In 16 games with the Texas Legends, Miller averaged 18.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.9 blocks. The 25-year-old rookie showed enough promise to convince the Bulls to cut ties with former two-way sig D.J. Steward and bring him aboard.
Emanuel Miller’s 2024-25 contributions
Joining midseason, Miller saw limited action with Chicago and spent most of his time with the Windy City Bulls. He appeared in just six games for the Chicago Bulls, averaging 1.7 points and 1.3 rebounds in 4.1 minutes per contest.
In 25 games, with 24 starts for Chicago’s G-League affiliate, Miller totaled 16.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game, while converting 45.0 percent of his field goals and 24.7 percent of his three-pointers.
After his rookie season, the Bulls extended a qualifying offer to Miller, keeping him on the roster for 2025-26. He went on to suit up for the team in the NBA 2K26 Summer League, where he appeared in only two games due to injury, yet he averaged 8.0 points and 5.0 boards per game.
What Miller’s role will look like this season
Heading into this season, Miller once again faces an uphill battle for minutes—the reality of life as a two-way player. The TCU product will split time between the Windy City Bulls and Chicago.
With Windy City, Miller serves as a primary option, but his role in Chicago will be much different, providing energy and defensive versatility off the bench. At 6-foot-7 with a chiseled frame, Miller brings the kind of versatility the Bulls need. He can play both forward spots and even slide to the five in a pinch.
Miller is the ultimate clean-up guy, making an impact without needing the ball in his hands, which is a valuable trait for a rotational player. He thrives as a cutter, in transition, and on the offensive glass. His biggest area for improvement, however, is his three-point shot. Across five collegiate seasons, he made just 64 triples, rarely relying on outside scoring until his junior year.
At 6-foot-7, Miller is a physically imposing forward, yet he’s the same size as some NBA shooting guards. Raising his 31.3 percent G-League three-point mark from last season could be key to carving out a bigger role in Billy Donovan’s rotation.
