One NBA insider isn't buying the idea that the Charlotte Hornets will pay Brandon Miller the max on an extension.
The Charlotte Hornets are getting ready to open the new 2026-27 NBA season in a few weeks, with the team excited about the future.
Star guard LaMelo Ball is gone after an offseason trade, starting a new chapter of Hornets basketball. Forward Brandon Miller is now the face of the franchise, and he is expected to take another step in terms of his overall game.
Miller, the former number two overall draft pick, has done well so far in his NBA career. But this season, he will have much more responsibility on his shoulders.
This means more scoring, shot creation, and potentially even playmaking with Ball now out of the picture. The Hornets have been happy with the development of Miller so far, and he's gotten better every year.
Miller averaged 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 43.5 percent from the field. He appeared in 65 games for the Hornets.
Due to his performance, there have been rumors about Miller getting a new extension from Charlotte. This would likely be the maximum amount, keeping him with the team for years to come.
However, NBA insider Zach Lowe spoke on his podcast about the Hornets, showing some skepticism around the idea that Charlotte would give Miller the max.
"Charlotte strikes me as a front office and ownership group that's not just gonna hand you the max. They're gonna negotiate a little bit. But if he came in somewhere near Amen Thompson, or even a little bit higher, I wouldn't be surprised," Lowe said.
Miller deserves to be paid the max when the times comes, and if the Hornets won't pay him, someone else will. Charlotte will have a tough decision on its hands, but with Ball gone, paying Miller seems to be the smart move.
The forward did have surgery in May to deal with a left shoulder problem, and he's been rehabbing hard to get back in time for the regular season. But he hasn't been cleared for basketball activities just yet.
"I don't know right now," Miller said. "I’m always eager, man,” Miller said. “I’m eager even when I’m not hurt. Just being out there is always a blessing whether I’m hurt or rehabbing or if I’m not hurt. One thing about me is availability. That’s all I can ask, is just availability. You want a full team available. You never know what can happen. Players can get in foul trouble, whatever the case may be. It’s kind of on us as players to be available whenever your number is called.”
The Hornets don't seem overly concerned with this, and Miller should be able to get back to work soon. The star forward has all the tools needed to be successful, but it'll be up to him how high of a ceiling he can make in the league.
Charlotte kicks off the new NBA season on October 21 against the Brooklyn Nets.
