Brandon Miller just landed a monstrous five-year extension with the Hornets, locking him in days before their 2026-27 season kicks off. ESPN reported the 24-year-old phenom signed a $209 million deal ahead of Monday’s deadline, a move that secures Charlotte’s top star for the long haul. Miller is coming off a career-best season, averaging 20.2 points per game, and now he’s officially set to run the wing with Kon Knueppel for years. And get this, his massive contract actually beats out most of his 2023 draftee counterparts.
Miller’s Monster Deal Stacks Up Against the Class of ’23
Let’s talk numbers, because Miller’s deal is wild. That five-year, $209 million rookie-scale extension from the Hornets is no joke. According to Spotrac, his Average Annual Value (AAV) of $41.8 million will make him the No. 36 highest-paid player in the league by the 2027-28 season, which is when the contract kicks in. That’s big-time money. It even surpasses fellow 2023 draftee Amen Thompson’s deal, though it trails OG Anunoby’s undisclosed contract. The craziest part? Miller’s $209 million extension came in just $1 million higher than Thompson’s $208 million, which Amen signed with the Rockets earlier this offseason. Talk about a razor-thin margin! This deal is the second-highest valuation among all the 2023 rookie extensions so far, only trailing Victor Wembanyama’s absolutely bonkers $252 million over five years.
How the 2023 Draft Class Got Paid
First-rounders from the 2023 NBA Draft had until Monday’s deadline to ink their rookie extensions, and seven of them officially did it, including Miller, Wembanyama, and Thompson. It’s a snapshot of who’s getting valued the most from that class. Wembanyama, obviously the No. 1 pick, leads the pack with his five-year, $252 million deal, backed by his incredible 25.0 PPG, 11.5 RPG, and 3.1 APG last season. Then you’ve got Miller right behind him at No. 2 with his $209 million, fresh off his 20.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 3.3 APG. Amen Thompson, the No. 4 pick, is right there with $208 million, and he put up 18.3 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 5.3 APG.
Here’s the breakdown of the seven guys who locked in their futures:
* **Victor Wembanyama** (Spurs, No. 1): 5 years, $252 million (25.0 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 3.1 APG)
* **Brandon Miller** (Hornets, No. 2): 5 years, $209 million (20.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.3 APG)
* **Amen Thompson** (Rockets, No. 4): 5 years, $208 million (18.3 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 5.3 APG)
* **Ausar Thompson** (Pistons, No. 5): 5 years, $155 million (9.9 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.1 APG)
* **Keyonte George** (Jazz, No. 16): 5 years, $157.5 million (23.6 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.1 APG)
* **Cason Wallace** (Thunder, No. 10): 5 years, $139 million (8.6 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.6 APG)
* **Brandin Podziemski** (Warriors, No. 19): 5 years, $110 million (13.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.7 APG)
Miller sitting at No. 2 in his class for these extensions tells you everything you need to know about his value.
Miller is now officially set to lead the Hornets as they kick off their season. Their season-opener is Wednesday against the Nets, and you know he’s going to be hyped to show everyone why he just earned that cash.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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