The Charlotte Hornets completely flipped the script this offseason. LaMelo Ball is now with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the franchise made the moves needed to position Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel as the team’s future.
Knueppel has a rookie deal that keeps him under team control until 2029. Meanwhile, contract extension talks involving Brandon Miller have begun to heat up.
The 23-year-old continues to improve year after year, setting up a potential large extension as he enters his final year under contract.
“Miller is still projected by various league observers to ultimately come to terms with the Hornets on an extension that could exceed Amen Thompson’s new five-year, $200 million deal with the Rockets,” wrote Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of the Stein Line. “In conversations with front office executives around the NBA this week, there seemed to be a growing consensus among rival decision-makers that Miller’s deal has the potential to be richer in a nod to his higher offensive ceiling.”
Brandon Miller Proved His Value in 2025-26
The Charlotte Hornets had a competition for results with a roster that carried all-around talent last season. Five Charlotte players averaged over 15 points per game in 2025-26. Following a busy offseason, the franchise moved on from two of them, trading LaMelo Ball to Minnesota and Miles Bridges to Phoenix.
With these moves, only three remain on the roster: Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, and Coby White.
Brandon Miller may be at the top of the totem pole for the Hornets. With Ball and Bridges gone, Miller has a chance to keep rising. Through 65 games in 2025-26, Miller averaged 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists on 43.5/38.3/89.2 shooting splits.
Among the offensive talent Charlotte held last season, Miller led in scoring.
If an extension is agreed upon either before the start of the regular season or during the campaign, Charlotte is ultimately banking on the 23-year-old to take bigger steps forward.
Injuries May be a Concern For Brandon Miller
Although the Hornets pivoted towards relying on a big three for next season, the franchise must monitor Brandon Miller’s health.
In his sophomore season in 2024-25, Miller played in just 27 games. A torn ligament in his right wrist led to season-ending surgery. He also missed time in the season due to a shoulder injury.
After an impressive 2025-26 campaign that was mostly healthy, Miller underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason. It had been a setback he has been battling over the course of his young career.
Despite this news, Miller is expected to be ready for the Hornets regular season opener on Oct. 21 against the Brooklyn Nets.
In his preseason debut, Miller finished with 18 points, three rebounds, and four assists in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Oct. 11.
With a new contract in sight, the newly-repaired shoulder will be something to monitor throughout the start of the 2026-27 season. There are high expectations for the 23-year-old.
Hornets’ Brandon Miller Gets Telling Contract Extension Update