The Charlotte Hornets are leaning into a new era, and Brandon Miller is right at the center of it.
With LaMelo Ball gone, the franchise is shifting its focus to a core built around Miller and Kon Knueppel. It’s a sensible place to start. Both players fit the modern NBA wing mold, and both give Charlotte something to work with as it resets.
Knueppel has already drawn plenty of attention in his rookie season, especially for what he brings from the perimeter. His shooting and scoring upside are real, and his first year has been historic. But if you’re asking who might carry the bigger star burden, Miller is the name that keeps coming up.
That’s where Tracy McGrady comes in. The former multi-time NBA All-Star sees Miller as the Hornets’ next true franchise piece, and he made that case plainly on Cousins with Vince Carter.
"I think B Miller can turn the corner. LaMelo is gone, right?
Him having a bigger role this year, he should be a guy that averages 25-26 points, taking that next step. Depending on what I see from him this year is gonna determine, alright, he's gonna be the franchise.
Because I think this year should be that year where we say, yeah, that's your franchise guy," McGrady said on Cousins with Vince Carter.
The appeal with Miller is easy to see. He was the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, taken just behind Victor Wembanyama, and his profile matches what teams want from a wing today: perimeter shooting, shot creation and defensive upside.
Charlotte is clearly betting that those tools can blossom into something bigger. The Hornets may not be ready for immediate results, but they do have a pair of young players with star potential, and Miller is the one McGrady believes can become the face of the franchise.
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