The Hornets have started the conversation that matters most for their next phase: keeping Brandon Miller in Charlotte for the long haul.
Jeff Peterson said last week that he has already spoken with Miller and the forward’s representation about an extension, making it clear the team wants to lock him in well beyond his rookie deal.
“In terms of his extension stuff, I’ve had conversations with Brandon and his representation. They know that we want Brandon here for a very, very long time," Peterson told reporters in a press conference last week. "I won’t get into the particulars of what we’ve discussed, but bottom line is we want Brandon Miller here for a very, very long time.”
That kind of message fits the rest of Peterson’s offseason work. He has been busy reshaping the roster after deciding to trade LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves. From there, he moved quickly to finish a deal bringing back Coby White, sent Miles Bridges out, and added veteran wing Dorian Finney-Smith for depth.
Miller’s health has also been part of the picture. He missed major time last season after tearing the scapholunate ligament in his right wrist, then dealt with a shoulder injury that kept him out for a few games at the start of the 2025-26 campaign. He had successful surgery in early May and is expected to make a full return.
Peterson said Miller has attacked the rehab process the right way.
“I’ve been very pleased with the way he’s attacking his rehab. He is in the gym constantly.
He knows he has to continue to work on his body and get stronger, and he’s taking that to heart. At the same time, he’s doing everything he can on the court in terms of just being creative with different drills.
Our coaching staff has done an amazing job of making sure that he continues to get better in the ways that he can
There is nothing imminent yet, but the direction is obvious: Charlotte is not interested in stripping the roster down further and moving on from Miller. The Hornets believe he can grow into an All-NBA caliber player and help push the franchise toward elite status in the Eastern Conference, alongside Kon Knueppel and Coby White.
Given his injury history, Miller may not be in line for a max deal right now. Still, the Hornets clearly see a player who could play his way into that level later, once this next contract is done and it’s time to talk again.
In Other News...
Liam McNeeley Just Entered A Hornets Battle Fans Are Watching
Liam McNeeley got a much bigger runway in the 2026 Summer League, a notable shift after a rookie season in Charlotte that offered only limited NBA minutes. For a Hornets team that spent the offseason reshaping its backcourt, the timing mattered. Trading LaMelo Ball and bringing in Coby White opened up real opportunity, and McNeeleys extended look came with the sort of stakes young players can feel even in July.
What makes this worth watching from Charlottes side is how quickly a summer performance can change the conversation around a roster spot. McNeeleys showing has at least put him in the mix for backup guard minutes behind White and Kon Knueppel, and the Hornets now have to sort out whether that Summer League role was just a temporary boost or the start of something more meaningful. [Read more 🡒]
Hornets Suddenly Have A Real Backcourt Battle Behind Coby White
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Sion James is in the mix for that backup job, but he is not alone. Rookie Christian Anderson and second-year guard Liam McNeeley are also pushing for the same spot, turning what might have looked like a simple depth chart into a legitimate competition. For Charlotte, the question is no longer just who backs up White, but who can earn trust early enough to matter when the games start counting. [Read more 🡒]
Hornets Roster Crunch Just Put Several Familiar Names On Edge
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A few of those decisions will come down to need as much as talent, especially with the roster already crowded and the season approaching fast. Some players look safer than others, but Charlotte is still weighing depth, versatility and future flexibility against the reality that not everyone can make the final cut, and the next move or two could say plenty about how the Hornets want this group to look when the games start counting. [Read more 🡒]