Charlotte’s decision to send LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves made the direction of the franchise pretty clear: Brandon Miller is the centerpiece now.
That reality only got louder when Hornets Executive Vice President Jeff Peterson spoke about Miller’s future. Charlotte’s front office isn’t treating this like a temporary arrangement. It wants Miller around for the long haul.
“I’ve had conversations with Brandon and his representation. They know that we want Brandon here for a very long time," Peterson said."
I won’t get into particulars. Bottom line is we want Brandon Miller here for a very long time."
Miller, the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, has already started to look the part of a player a team can build around. His 2025-26 season began slowly as he worked back from a shoulder injury that wiped out most of his second NBA year, but once January arrived, he became a major reason for Charlotte’s surge.
The Hornets put together their best season in 10 years, reached the play-in, won a game there, and then came up short of the playoffs with a loss to the Miami Heat. Miller finished the year averaging more than 20 points per game and knocked down 38% of his three-pointers, both signs of a player moving in the right direction.
Now comes the next big step. Miller is eligible for a huge extension this offseason, and the rookie-scale max would be five years and $250 million. The expectation is that he could land slightly below that number, but either way, a deal looks like it’s coming.
That’s why Peterson’s comments matter. They weren’t subtle. They were a direct message that Charlotte sees Miller as part of its core, alongside last season’s runner-up for Rookie of the Year, Kon Knueppel.
The Hornets are building around those two young players, and Miller’s next contract would be another strong signal of how much faith the organization has in him. If he stays healthy, his fourth NBA season should bring another jump.
With Ball gone, Miller should also have more on-ball work. The next challenge is clear: create more offense for himself and for others. If that part of his game keeps growing and the three-point shot keeps climbing, Charlotte will feel even better about the massive extension it appears ready to hand him this offseason.
In Other News...
Labaron Philon Is Already Making One Draft Decision Look Risky
Labaron Philons first few days in Las Vegas have done little to slow the buzz that followed him out of Alabama. The former Crimson Tide guard, taken 22nd overall by the 76ers after an impressive sophomore season, has already looked comfortable against NBA competition, and his early Summer League play has only strengthened the case that he belonged in the first round. In one outing, he led Philadelphia with 24 points and added six assists in an overtime win over the Pacers, the kind of all-around line that tends to travel quickly through draft-night conversations.
Christian Anderson, meanwhile, has had a quieter start with the Hornets, and that contrast is already inviting second-guessing from outside observers. Charlotte used its pick on Anderson, but Philons immediate impact has made the decision look at least a little risky in hindsight, especially for a team that passed on a guard who is showing he can create, score and control a game right away. Summer League only goes so far, but in a league where first impressions matter, Philon has made one draft choice feel a lot more fragile than it did a week ago. [Read more 🡒]
Kalen DeBoer Is Already Facing A Conversation Alabama Fans Dread
The early returns on Kalen DeBoer at Alabama have been productive enough on paper, with 20 wins against eight losses in his first two seasons, but the conversation around him has already shifted from results to identity. Even with a College Football Playoff appearance on the ledger, the loss to Indiana and the broader feel of the program have left some fans uneasy about whether Alabama still looks like Alabama in the trenches.
That unease has centered on physicality and the rushing game, the kind of concern that tends to linger in Tuscaloosa when expectations are this high. DeBoers new contract only raises the stakes around every debate, because Alabama is no longer just judging a coach on wins and losses, but on whether the style of play matches the standard the fan base expects. [Read more 🡒]