Hornets, Brandon Miller progress on extension reported above $200 million
The Charlotte Hornets and Brandon Miller are in talks on a rookie-scale max extension, ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel reported, as cited by Heavy. No agreement has been reported or announced, and the length, guarantees and options have not been disclosed.
Siegel reported that Miller is likely to sign before the 2026-27 season begins: "Although health is a slight concern for Miller early on in his career, the two sides have progressed in contract talks, and the Hornets' young star is expected to reach terms on a new deal that exceeds $200 million."
Sources told ClutchPoints that the recent extensions of Franz Wagner, OG Anunoby and Amen Thompson have been topics in the negotiations, according to Siegel.
Miller, the second overall pick in 2023, is entering the final year of a four-year, $49 million rookie-scale contract that pays him a $15 million base salary in 2026-27, Heavy reported.
Heavy reported that Miller played through left shoulder instability last season after a late-October subluxation that cost him 13 games, then rehabbed the shoulder over the summer after Charlotte lost in the second game of the play-in tournament. "Of course, I'm back now doing a lot better," Miller said.
Charlotte traded LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the offseason for Naz Reid, a first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps and three second-round picks, Yahoo reported. Heavy reported that the trade leaves Miller as the primary offensive option.
Miller averaged 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists last season, according to Heavy. Charlotte was 6.4 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor in 2025-26, a 90th-percentile figure per Databallr, Yahoo reported.
"I was with Ant, and I started to see the shift he made going from his third year to his fourth," Reid said at Monday's media availability, referring to Anthony Edwards. "I think Brandon can do the same."
Per WAGE, Miller's $12.0 million salary in 2025-26 ranked 140th of 435 rated players, while his production ranked 95th, a season total built in 65 of Charlotte's 82 games.
His WAGE Score rose to 67 in 2025-26 from 8 in 2024-25, per WAGE, placing last season in the Smart Money tier.
Those figures describe what the rookie-scale salary bought last season; an extension would change the money only from the season it begins, and the reporting has not said which seasons it would cover.
The extension deadline date has not been reported. If talks pass it, Miller would enter restricted free agency in 2027, with Charlotte holding the right to match any offer sheet, Heavy reported.