Brandon Miller believes the 2026-27 Charlotte Hornets will take pride in working hard.
During a conversation with Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer, Brandon Miller said he expects the new-look Charlotte Hornets to be a "hard-working team."
The Hornets reconstructed the roster around Miller and Kon Knueppel this summer, as LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges were traded.
“Do I know if we are going to be good or great?” Miller said. “I know we are going to be a hard-working team. It’s not about who makes the most shots. It’s about who can play consistently at 110% every night. I think that’s one thing we are going to take pride in.”
The Hornets traded Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid, Bridges to the Phoenix Suns for Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale and Tre Mann to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Dennis Schroder.
Charlotte also re-signed Coby White, acquired Dorian Finney-Smith from the Houston Rockets and drafted Hannes Steinbach and Christian Anderson in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The Hornets are expected to start White, Miller, Knueppel, Reid and Moussa Diabate and use Schroder, Allen, O’Neale, Grant Williams, Steinbach and Ryan Kalkbrenner as their primary bench players next season.
“I think it’s just staying with each other, no matter the outcome,” Miller said. “Go out there and play as hard as we can, trust each other. Trust the process. We’ve been in the league a long time to know that everything is not going to be perfect. So, it’s trusting that process. Daily consistency, daily routines is going to go a long way this season.”
The Hornets never made the playoffs in the Ball-Bridges era. It will be fascinating to see whether Charlotte makes the playoffs next season with White, Miller, Knueppel and Reid leading the way.
Charlotte opens the 2026-27 season on the road against the Brooklyn Nets. The home opener is against the Atlanta Hawks.
Miller appeared in 65 games for the Hornets last season, his third year in the NBA. He averaged 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 43.5% from the field, 38.3% from beyond the arc and 89.2% from the free-throw line.
The Hornets can sign Miller to a rookie-scale extension this summer. If an extension doesn't happen, Miller will become a restricted free agent next summer.
Miller will not only have an increased usage rate next season, but he will also be asked to be a vocal leader. The swingman is ready and confident in his basketball and leadership abilities.
“Just building with my teammates,” Miller said. “They trust me to do the job that I come here to do. That’s all I can ask for is a chance. And obviously I’m blessed enough to be in a situation where my teammates actually trust what I’m doing. They know what I’m good at, they know what I need to work on. So, it’s all that. Good vibes around the locker room. Working vibes around the locker room are working to get better each day. I tip my hat off to anybody that has the same mindset as me and just wants to get better.”
