Would the Charlotte Hornets really trade Brandon Miller?
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, NBA executives wonder now if Charlotte Hornets small forward Brandon Miller is no longer untouchable in trade talks.
Miller is a very talented player, but because of injuries, he's only played in 112 games with the Hornets since being drafted in 2023.
"Despite constant injuries to LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, Charlotte's former second overall pick, the Hornets want to see that duo with Rookie of the Year candidate Kon Knueppel, and Miles Bridges remain healthy for a better evaluation of where they stand," Scotto wrote. "If healthy, the Hornets believe they could contend for a play-in spot.
"However, their collective health and availability are a large asterisk to the point where NBA executives around the league have begun to wonder if Miller is no longer as untouchable as he once was."
Miller has appeared in only 11 games this season. He's averaging 18.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game while shooting 38.3% from the field, 33.0% from beyond the arc and 84.6% from the free-throw line.
The Hornets are only 9-18. All signs point toward them missing the playoffs again. Charlotte hasn't made the playoffs since 2016 and the franchise has had only one winning record in the Ball era, which began in 2020-21.
Miller has career averages of 18.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game with the Hornets. It will be fascinating to see if Charlotte trades Miller, Ball and/or Bridges to fully build around Knueppel, who looks like a young Klay Thompson.
As of this writing, Miller hasn't been linked to any teams in trade rumors. Meanwhile, Ball has been linked to the Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors.
From the outside looking in, I would be stunned if the Hornets traded Miller. However, I wouldn't be shocked to see Ball get moved before the trade deadline in February.