Brandon Miller Signs Major Contract Extension with Charlotte Hornets

Brandon Miller, who was the second overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, has inked a significant contract extension with the Charlotte Hornets as he heads into his fourth season.

Reportedly, Miller, fresh off a standout season, has agreed to a five-year deal worth $209 million, according to The Associated Press.

The 23-year-old had an impressive average of 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game last year, despite battling through a shoulder injury. Over his three seasons, he has maintained an average of 19 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.

With LaMelo Ball’s trade to the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this year, Miller is expected to step into a larger role for Charlotte as the 2026-27 season unfolds.

Miller was selected right after the San Antonio Spurs drafted Victor Wembanyama in 2023. However, during his last year at Alabama, his draft prospects were somewhat uncertain due to an off-court incident.

He was linked to the tragic shooting death of a 23-year-old woman in January 2023. It was revealed that he transported the firearm, which was owned by former teammate Darius Miles, to the scene. Miles then passed the weapon to Michael Lynn Davis, who was later convicted of killing Jamea Harris in Tuscaloosa.

While Miller was never charged with any crime, the fact that he brought the gun to the scene raised eyebrows. Prosecutors produced messages indicating that Miles directed Miller to deliver the firearm.

Miller testified during the capital murder trial last year, acknowledging he brought the gun but claimed he wasn’t informed about its intended use or the possibility of a shooting. He also recounted how he narrowly escaped injury during the incident, with bullets striking his vehicle.

Ultimately, he faced no charges and wasn’t offered any incentives for cooperating with authorities.

During this tumultuous period, Miller found himself on the witness list for the pretrial phase, alongside three other former Alabama basketball players. He had known Davis, who often spent time with the team, through Miles.

After one season with the Crimson Tide in 2022-23, he was drafted by the Hornets. As the news about his connection to the shooting spread, Miller faced backlash from opposing fans, with chants aimed at him during games. Interestingly, he didn’t let it get to him, scoring 41 points and hitting a game-winner in an overtime game at South Carolina.

Miller remarked on the experience, saying, “We hear the chants. I feel like we really just lean on each other to go to places like that and pull out tough wins.”

In the end, despite the controversies, he maintained his status as a top-three draft pick, and the Hornets picked him up, hoping he’d replicate his on-court success at the professional level.

And it seems like that’s exactly what has happened, as Miller now enjoys the success that comes with his hard work—a substantial financial reward as he establishes himself in the NBA.