Hornets' Brandon Miller agrees to five-year, $209M extension, reports say
Version 2: Added the full story text and tightened the wording of one confirmed item.
In short
Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller has agreed to a five-year, $209 million contract extension, according to Reuters, Newsweek and Fox News. Newsweek attributes the news to ESPN's Shams Charania and Fox News to The Associated Press. Miller is 23 and entering his fourth NBA season.
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The Charlotte Hornets and forward Brandon Miller have agreed to a five-year, $209 million contract extension, according to reports. Reuters carried the news under the headline "Reports: Hornets F Brandon Miller agrees to five-year, $209M extension." Newsweek attributed it to ESPN's Shams Charania, while Fox News cited The Associated Press. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Newsweek described the deal as a rookie-scale contract extension and said it came just before Monday's deadline for players from the 2023 NBA Draft class to sign such extensions. It called the agreement the Hornets' biggest commitment yet to the future of their franchise. [ 3 ]
Miller, 23, is entering his fourth NBA season. He was the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, selected after the San Antonio Spurs took Victor Wembanyama. Both Newsweek and Fox News said he averaged 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists last season while dealing with a shoulder injury. Newsweek put his games played at 65. [ 3 , 4 ]
Both outlets tied the extension to the Hornets' trade of LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Newsweek said this created an opportunity for Miller to take on greater offensive responsibility and that he could become the team's primary scoring option. Fox News said he should be expected to take on a larger role in the 2026-27 season. Newsweek added that Charlotte is building around a younger core that includes Miller and second-year guard Kon Knueppel. [ 3 , 4 ]
Newsweek said Miller's $209 million agreement exceeds the five-year, $208 million extension signed by Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson. It also said the Hornets narrowly missed the playoffs last season, reaching the play-in tournament. [ 3 ]
Fox News also recalled that Miller's draft stock was in limbo during his final season at Alabama because of controversy off the court. It reported that he was involved in the death of a 23-year-old woman in January 2023, saying he transported a firearm to former teammate Darius Miles, its legal owner. Fox News said Miles then gave the gun to Michael Lynn Davis, who was found guilty of shooting and killing Jamea Harris near The Strip in Tuscaloosa. [ 4 ]
Why it matters
Newsweek describes the deal as Charlotte's biggest commitment yet to its future and says Miller could become the team's primary scoring option after LaMelo Ball was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Fox News says Miller should be expected to take on a larger role in 2026-27.
Key facts
- Brandon Miller agreed to a five-year, $209 million extension with the Charlotte Hornets. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Newsweek describes it as a rookie-scale extension agreed just before Monday's deadline for players from the 2023 NBA Draft class. [ 3 ]
- Miller, 23, was the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, behind San Antonio Spurs player Victor Wembanyama, and is entering his fourth season. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Miller averaged 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists last season while dealing with a shoulder injury. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Newsweek says his $209 million exceeds the five-year, $208 million extension signed by Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson. [ 3 ]
- The Hornets traded LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves. [ 3 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Who first reported the agreement. Newsweek cites ESPN's Shams Charania, Fox News cites The Associated Press, and Reuters headlines it as 'Reports'; no document gives an announcement from the team or Miller.
- Whether Miller will become the Hornets' primary scoring option. Newsweek says he 'could' and Fox News says he is 'expected' to take on a larger role; both are projections.