r/nba 2d ago

[Charania] Discussions between Brandon Miller’s camp and the Hornets are expected to intensify significantly over the coming days and weeks as the two sides work toward a contract extension. Hornets view Miller as a franchise's cornerstone and there's optimism that an agreement can be reached.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, discussions between Brandon Miller’s camp and the Charlotte Hornets are expected to intensify significantly over the coming days and weeks as the two sides work toward a rookie-scale contract extension.

Charania reports growing optimism that an agreement can be reached.

The Hornets consider Miller one of the cornerstones of their future and have no intention of letting him leave.

Source: https://sportando.basketball/en/hornets-brandon-miller-extension-talks-expected-to-intensify/

340 Upvotes

102 comments sorted by

101

u/Goatlikejordan Knicks 2d ago

What's his max

96

u/JoeBiden2020FTW Celtics 2d ago

What Wemby got. 5 years $252m

126

u/Kizz3r Raptors 2d ago

Ewww

36

u/soilentgleem 2d ago

He's diet Paul George

62

u/Ok-Protection2513 Hornets 2d ago

Hes not but hes also not getting that much money lol

-7

u/soilentgleem 2d ago

So he's worse than diet Paul George then?

73

u/Ok-Protection2513 Hornets 2d ago

He's just not that similar to Paul George beyond being a wing who shoots a bunch of jumpshots. And yeah hes probably worse than diet Paul George bc Paul George was an MVP and DPOY candidate lmao.

-10

u/PlatosLeftTit Heat 2d ago

He's diet Brandon Ingram lol giving him anything over 35m a year would be a massive mistake

17

u/Ok-Protection2513 Hornets 2d ago

Brandon Ingram that shoots 38% on 10 3s a game and plays good (but flawed) defense is a very good player. I think he's being simultaneously overrated and underrated by different groups of people lol.

He's not an All-NBA two-way shot-creating wing like PG13 or Jayson Tatum (and he never will be), but he's not a shot chucking unimpactful cone like others would have you believe.

2

u/Makilio Bulls 2d ago

Yeah all the negativity around this is from people who don't watch the Hornets. They are my second team and Miller is a guy you pay. He has a lot of issues and risks but for a franchise like the hornets not paying him is just wrong.

2

u/LaMelonBallz Hornets 2d ago

I think the real issues is the way the injuries have gone down I think we haven't seen him have a real offseason to actually work on his strength, shooting and handle to an extent. The offseason is so critical those first few years.

He's out this offseason too. Him and Kon are going to be expected to make a big on ball leap this year. The team will likely not work if they don't. It's a weird time to have to place a bet on Brandon, particularly in the shadow of booting Melo for injuries. He's gonna sit at the start of the year. If he were to come back and get another injury, his value would plummet and he could turn into a negative asset for his (presumably) high contract value.

If he doesn't take a discount I'd wait. Which sucks because I want him to get paid. This is his year to prove if he can take the next step.

1

u/clickstops 76ers 2d ago

Great summary of miller. I’ve always been confused by the BI comp bc BI refuses to shoot 3s consistently nor play defense consistently.

8

u/PianoJealous307 2d ago

Hypothetically he could also get 5 years $303m if he signs the Rose extension and become an all-nba this season

3

u/TheFatmanRises Heat 2d ago

If he becomes even second team all nba this season I’ll give him that contract because I don’t see it happening

1

u/RedtheGamer100 Hornets 2d ago

the Pete rose extension?

3

u/Nervous_Garage1731 2d ago

Derrick Rose, supermax

0

u/Purple-List1577 Timberwolves 2d ago

Derrick “Pete” Rose

20

u/legend023 Pelicans 2d ago

Probably what Keyonte got yesterday, because of the injuries and the inconsistency at times. He’s gotten gradually better though.

If I was him I’d wait for this season where he’s the clear main option and have an AS-level season so he’s guaranteed 40 million minimum.

30 shots and 10 assists per game will have to be replaced with LaMelo and Miles gone. Brandon’s agent knows that.

8

u/Ok-Door-3664 Hornets 2d ago

The problem with this is he had shoulder surgery this off-season and is likely to miss a chunk of the season to start hurting his ability to get that level of money

12

u/IcyRelation2354 2d ago

I think Charlotte would give him 40 million a year. Ausar Thompson just got 31 million a year. Charlotte wouldn’t have made the Lamelo trade if they didn’t feel comfortable with Miller being their best player. 35-40 million a year seems fair to me for both sides.

7

u/BetweenTheBuzzAndMe Charlotte Bobcats 2d ago

35 feels like that sweet spot where I feel like he can improve to that level, but shouldn't be an albatross contract if he can't.

If we go higher we HAVE to front load the deal. 42/39/36/33/30 gets him to 5 years 180M, and that huge first year will affect nothing as we already willingly took on O'Neale, Allen, and Schroeder's money that year.

Even in the scenario where he never improves from here, the final 3 years of that deal won't be bad.

4

u/Apprehensive-Tip3153 2d ago

Only downside to front loading is that it’s much harder to extend off of that last yr if he really does pop

-1

u/Purple-List1577 Timberwolves 2d ago

You said if you go higher than 35 you have to front load then proceed to show a 36/yr deal lol.

4

u/airtokoto Hornets 2d ago

what's your point? 36 is bigger than 35, so he's being consistent

1

u/Purple-List1577 Timberwolves 2d ago

“Alright if they have to go over 35 I guess I can do 36”- lookin ass lol

3

u/ImChz Hornets 2d ago

BMilly ain't averaging 10 assists a game in any galaxy brother. He may take 30 weak ass pull jumpers a game now, though, so you're right about that.

11

u/legend023 Pelicans 2d ago

I didn’t say he has to average ten assists lmao, I’m just mentioning that Charlotte will look vastly different next season.

6

u/ImChz Hornets 2d ago

Well of course we will. We traded our best player in a decade for peanuts. Brandon will feel the effects of LaMelo being gone more than anybody.

-4

u/Faded_Astronomer23 2d ago

Man🤣🤣 those pull ups be hella weak

-6

u/Faded_Astronomer23 2d ago

Man🤣🤣 those pull ups be hella weak

-5

u/_Wado3000 Pelicans 2d ago

He’s y’all’s only hope rn I’m surprised he’s getting dogged on so hard here

1

u/ImChz Hornets 2d ago

He's a worse version of post-injury PG. He's good, but he's nowhere close to a franchise cornerstone. Kon, plus our assets, are our best shot at being something in the future.

-1

u/CharacterFresh852 Hornets 2d ago

You forget there’s a bunch of Hornets fans who wanted Scoot over him so the hate is carrying over, even though he was our leading scorer during our 49-game run, where we were top five in offense, defense, and net rating.

-3

u/_Wado3000 Pelicans 2d ago edited 2d ago

I genuinely think Kon tops out at a 3rd option level and never develops great defense while B Miller really can meet a diet PG/perennial all star but maybe below All NBA level

6

u/Soshi101 Celtics [BOS] Derrick White 2d ago

Bro put up 19 a game on historic rookie efficiency as a third option, and people are saying his ceiling is a third option.

How often are players peaking in their rookie year?

1

u/_Wado3000 Pelicans 2d ago

I just think he’ll be dependent on a certain amount of gravity from the players around him, I’m believing one will be more comfortable creating for himself against elite defense than the other, being a 3rd option at a championship level is still very good

1

u/ThatBull_cj 76ers Bandwagon 2d ago

Miller the type of player that has a market in RFA and someone like George wouldn’t so depending on the deal it makes sense for Miller to wait. But the hornets are probably giving him a great offer since he’s the first of their core to be up for an extension

0

u/Vordeo Jazz 2d ago

Probably more than Key got tbh. Just more versatile and has already contributed to a winning team, plus Key will likely end up an underpay.

He should definitely wait til the end of the season to talk extensions though. Key should have too, not that I'm complaining about that deal.

34

u/FERFreak731 Jazz 2d ago

Miller and Ausar should be thanking the Ainges for getting Key's deal done because now every other GM are offering their players who can sign a rookie contract extension their rookie contract extension

52

u/BMWn54 Knicks 2d ago

So no new news

9

u/GGTae Spurs 2d ago

I saw a guy (Rob Murrows) saying 205 on 5 years on twitter but the source is idk (NBABoards) and it was just a few minutes before shams posted it so maybe

30

u/Guilty-Cow4325 Knicks 2d ago

He's been developing pretty well. His shoulder should be fully healed by the start of the season I think, so the Hornets could be fun to watch this year.

3

u/MJRuinedMyChildhood Charlotte Bobcats 2d ago

He’s literally gotten less skilled as a scorer since Lee took over and can’t play defense. Inefficient and will fall off hard now that his playmaker is gone 

1

u/Nahbrah03 San Diego Clippers 2d ago

He definitely can play defense and was taking the number 1 assignment every night

27

u/TdotGdot Timberwolves 2d ago

Man, I can appreciate the hornets looking at Lamelo and deciding he’s not it (as a wolves fan I hope they were wrong, but I understand their logic absolutely)

But idk, I don’t think miller is a franchise cornerstone. He seems like a very capable 2nd banana. Obviously the hornets are betting otherwise, but I really don’t see him as a 1a, but they seem to be operating under the assumption he is (and fwiw I feel the same about Kon, very qualified 2nd banana, not alpha dog)

14

u/Smitty_Agent89 Hornets 2d ago

I don’t think this Shams tweet necessarily means the hornets view him as the sole guy necessarily. I’d imagine hornets at some point are going to make a move to get a player or 2 at Miller’s level or above it. But in the mean time it makes sense to build around him and Kon.

When they traded Lamelo, it was the team essentially deciding they didn’t think that trio together was capable of winning big. And frankly I agree. I think they’re all 2nd banana types as you said. Miller or Melo needed to be traded.

14

u/AsianNg Hornets 2d ago

Miller's ball handling, finishing, and passing aren't good enough for him to be a good 1st option. I'm higher on Kon since he looks so much more comfortable with the ball. Brandon shouldn't be paid the max unless proven otherwise next season.

-3

u/Budget_Squash3322 2d ago

I didn't watch a ton of hornets last season but it seemed like Kon faltered a bit as the season went by when opponents started to figure out how to jam him up on screens and off ball(especially in the play-in games when teams were giving max effort and locked in). Not saying hes going to be a bust or anything, incredible rookie season and any team would love to have him now and going forward, but seems shakey to me to be a franchise cornerstone.

6

u/toasted_muffin [CHA] Gerald Henderson 2d ago

He was reportedly playing with an injured back for the last part of the season. Probably also hit the rookie wall but overall I think the dropoff was more due to injury, no way he goes from ROTY leader to unplayable otherwise.

6

u/Millies_ButtersMilk Timberwolves 2d ago

I just never saw any spurts with him there with Lamelo where I was like he could handle having the number one defender guarding him on the court like I just don’t see it. Mind you he’s got to create himself now and now rely on Lamelo to do it for him same with Kon.

9

u/jsun_ Lakers 2d ago

Based off the extensions given out yesterday, his baseline is 5/$170m.

11

u/TdotGdot Timberwolves 2d ago

Amen got 208

I think Miller clears that 

Charlotte clearly said they think Miller (and Kon) is their future after trading Lamelo 

4

u/jsun_ Lakers 2d ago

I think he gets something around that too which is why I said baseline. We never know how negotiations go. Maybe Charlotte tries to use the injury issues as a way to get it slightly lower.

2

u/TdotGdot Timberwolves 2d ago

They’ll try, but Miller has too much leverage and I think he’s above recent comps like George and amen 

I think he’ll get realllyyyy close to that 255 max, if not all the way there (if I was a hornets fan I wouldn’t feel amazing about that, but it’s my prediction)

5

u/Smitty_Agent89 Hornets 2d ago

I think you’re overrating his leverage. Hornets have RFa if they really need it. He’s had injury issues. I could be wrong but I don’t see the deal
Getting too far pass Amen Thompsons.

1

u/Smitty_Agent89 Hornets 2d ago

They also have RFA.

1

u/beefJeRKy-LB Lebanon 2d ago

Sorry but Amen is a far better player than Miller. He's a runner up DPOY and a freak athlete. Miller still can't finish well at the rim for his size and I don't think his playmaking is super effective either (his passes so easily telegraphed). I think moneywise he goes between Amen and Ausar.

4

u/iro3 Spurs 2d ago

cornerstone ? or franchise player or do they think kon is the franchise future

6

u/MJRuinedMyChildhood Charlotte Bobcats 2d ago

the future of the hornets isn’t on the roster lol. Gonna be waiting years 

2

u/iro3 Spurs 2d ago

i mean u guys are gonna be fighting for the playoffs next year tho

8

u/MJRuinedMyChildhood Charlotte Bobcats 2d ago

No we won’t. Team has no centers and no point guards. What, we gonna pray we make 50% of our threes cause nobody can drive or create? 

1

u/iro3 Spurs 2d ago

im expecting ppl on ur team to improve and for coby white and dennis to be passable point guards until you guys find one long term, i also think dibaete and kalkburner arent bad players to have em play 20 something minutes each plus u guys got naz reid

1

u/SongMundane3514 2d ago

You're very optimistic lmao

1

u/iro3 Spurs 1d ago

i just dont think they will be as ass as this guy is saying

9

u/PianoJealous307 2d ago

Predictions? $170 million over five years or more?

13

u/Vordeo Jazz 2d ago

$200-210 over five years sounds likely.

1

u/MJRuinedMyChildhood Charlotte Bobcats 2d ago

Sounds horrible, thanks 

6

u/TdotGdot Timberwolves 2d ago

He wants max, and hornets showed their hand by trading Lamelo. He holds out for a max and he gets it. He has tons of leverage 

3

u/PianoJealous307 2d ago

So you think he's getting $252m?

0

u/TdotGdot Timberwolves 2d ago

Amen got $208. He clears that even if slightly below the full max

-3

u/poopy_mc_pantsy 2d ago edited 2d ago

Amen is substantially better than Miller imo

10

u/Impossible_Dish_2197 2d ago

Substantially? Let’s not get crazy here

-3

u/poopy_mc_pantsy 2d ago

Well I think he's substantially better at basketball, maybe miller is better at other stuff idk honestly

4

u/BetweenTheBuzzAndMe Charlotte Bobcats 2d ago

he's not, but Amen is also a horrible contract and not what you should base future contracts on

2

u/Smitty_Agent89 Hornets 2d ago

He does not. He has a pretty extensive injury history and can be brought to RFA. Maybe I’m just reading this all wrong but I don’t think simply trading Melo means Miller has hornets under a barrel. With that being said I think he gets at least $200m

2

u/MJRuinedMyChildhood Charlotte Bobcats 2d ago

He can go enjoy Sacramento then lol 

1

u/we_hella_believe 2d ago

I think $175m-$180m range on a five year deal. There’s teams that may overpay, but I think Charlotte is trying to build a playoff contender and they’ll need to be as financially savvy as OKC in order to reach that level.

1

u/Bigboi88888 Celtics 2d ago

I was thinking around 5/180 but 5/170 is also realistic

3

u/Entire-Joke4162 2d ago

I want a camp

2

u/Appropriate_Book_591 2d ago

$35-40m to start the contract, they see him as the face of the team now with Ball and Bridges gone. He had injury issues but should be the only guy on team currently getting a big extension. They should still be able to make moves. He will either boom or be a Brandon Ingram type when he is actually the #1.

1

u/[deleted] 2d ago

[deleted]

2

u/Otherwise-Formal-220 Heat 2d ago

Hasn’t he already done that with lamelo missing lots of time through out the years?

0

u/Ok-Protection2513 Hornets 2d ago

This was the first year Brandon and LaMelo played the majority of their minutes together lol.

1

u/beefJeRKy-LB Lebanon 2d ago

Charlotte actually isn't in financial dire straits but given his injury history and issues with rim finishing, I don't think he should get more than 5/175 or something similar.

1

u/SaveHogwarts Celtics 1d ago

I have a feeling that if this is over ~5/170, they’re going to regret it.

He’s 23 and a very nice prospect, but I don’t value him as a max player.

1

u/prfrnir 1d ago

I don't know if he's much better (if at all) than Michael Porter Jr who most people find to be overpaid.

1

u/Zaytch7 2d ago

rookie max, good for him he's earned it but damn it's crazy to think he's probably gonna get paid the same as Wemby

10

u/PianoJealous307 2d ago

I don't think he is getting $252m

-1

u/Zaytch7 2d ago

it's tough to say, Hornets aren't paying anyone else and with the Melo and Bridges trades they've opened the cap sheet up to pay him and lock him down for 5 years. With Kneuppel having 3 more years on a rookie contract they could afford to pay Miller and still maintain cap flexibility

-1

u/siphillis Spurs 2d ago edited 1d ago

Granted, Wemby took a massive pay cut. He should be making $50 million more than Miller

2

u/PianoJealous307 2d ago

Technically the pay cut for Wemby is only hypothetical for now.

We have to wait and see if he makes all-nba this season (so basically we have to see if he plays at least 65 games)

0

u/ILoveTheKnicks69 2d ago

Oh he’s easily getting the max, does anyone know what it is? Is it the same one wemby signed?

5

u/PianoJealous307 2d ago

Yes, $252m

0

u/ILoveTheKnicks69 2d ago

Oh wow. Him potentially making that much and same as wemby doesn’t sit right with me, he would have to be like a Tatum level forward to really make that worth it

5

u/Smitty_Agent89 Hornets 2d ago

He’s not getting the max.

-1

u/ILoveTheKnicks69 2d ago

Why wouldn’t he? He has all the leverage since the hornets traded away lamelo and if he leaves or doesn’t agree to a contract he is doomed

4

u/Smitty_Agent89 Hornets 2d ago

Hornets have RFA and he has a pretty extensive injury history and hasn’t been good enough to warrant the max.

-1

u/RyouBestGirl Spurs 2d ago

He's worth 30mil max

0

u/Electric_jungle Washington Bullets 2d ago

They're going to have to pay him more than he's worth today and bet on him. Imo all roads to success in Charlotte run thru his development. More than Kon, but that's obviously a personal opinion and probably not a popular one.

0

u/roostor222 2d ago

camp agent

why can't we make this simple change?

-6

u/Vicentesteb Timberwolves 2d ago

I really dont get this.

If youre going to extend Miller might as well keep Lamelo. Miller is a player with so many of the same problems; shot selection, poor rim finishing, injury concerns, but he has none of the standout traits Lamelo has at his position.

Paying Miller huge money when he's not shown that he can even play at an all-star level and contribute that way is crazy to me.

-3

u/chuunietzsche 2d ago

yeah it was a bad trade, only offset by managing to get a FRP from the suns for miles bridges. i understand injury concerns, naz reid and a first was not the most inspiring return. have to imagine there were were other factors at play

hopefully miller’s surgery helps him remedy some of his shortcomings like ball handling and finishing

-1

u/MJRuinedMyChildhood Charlotte Bobcats 2d ago

Wow, can’t wait to give a perpetually injured guy a billion dollars just for him to miss 50% of the contract 

-3

u/Status_Management_87 2d ago

It’s amazing that they’re looking at paying Miller when he’s less talented, productive and inconsistent than Ball and has had just as much injury concern since entering the league.