Apr 10, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller (24) passes the ball to forward Grant Williams (2) during first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Apr 10, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller (24) passes the ball to forward Grant Williams (2) during first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Once considered the laughing stock of the NBA, the Charlotte Hornets have risen to a respectable place, and they are doing everything they can to stay there. Following the LaMelo Ball trade, some critics are uncertain about the team’s new direction, but all signs indicate that Charlotte is feeling good about the years to come.
Specifically, they are putting their trust in young shooting guard Brandon Miller, who has become their new franchise cornerstone. At just 23, Miller still has much to prove, but the Hornets are already moving like he’s their star for the foreseeable future.
“Then they go out and make moves that basically say Brandon Miller is the face of our franchise moving forward,” said Brett Siegel. “You trade LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves, you trade Miles Bridges to the Phoenix Suns, and you completely flip this roster to the point where you are now building around Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel as your two pillars.”
With averages of 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game last season, the former second overall pick has shown flashes of greatness, and it’s enough to warrant a massive extension. In fact, with a $15.1 million player option next season, Miller will be offered a new extension soon, likely a max deal with at least five years.
“He is going to get a new deal at some point. I would expect it personally to be a five-year deal, and that will cement him as the face of this franchise after those trades,” Siegel added. “But it is possible that the Hornets could enter the season without extending him. They have basically until then to do so. Even if he doesn’t, they could just agree to a new deal once he becomes a restricted free agent. There are no worries here about getting a deal done. I think his injury history and coming off his season-ending shoulder injury this past year play a role in that, so we’ll wait and see what happens, but Brandon Miller, I don’t expect him to be on the market whatsoever for other teams. He’s going to be locked in with the Hornets for the foreseeable future.”
The Hornets won’t be competing for a title anytime soon, but they have a solid core in place that can certainly make some noise. Besides Miller and Kon Knueppel, they also have Grant Williams, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Coby White, and Xavier Tillman. Collectively, there is confidence that they can lead the Hornets to a successful future, but the road will not be quick or easy.
Without LaMelo on board, the Hornets will have to adjust to the new pecking order, and it could take time for things to settle in. But with so much young talent, heaps of draft capital, and an extensive rebuilding plan, it may not be too long before this Hornets team starts to rise once again. Until then, they will do what they can to take care of their remaining young stars and establish the kind of culture they want to have for the next 10+ years.