Brandon Miller is still without a long-term contract, and the clock is seriously ticking for the Charlotte Hornets. With the deadline for 2023 first-round picks to sign extensions rapidly approaching on October 19 at 6 p.m. ET, Miller remains one of the big names whose future past the 2026-27 season is still up in the air.
Less Than a Week For Charlotte to Get It Done
Seriously, it’s crunch time. Other guys from the 2023 draft class, like Brandin Podziemski, have already locked down their long-term deals, joining stars like Victor Wembanyama and others such as Ausar Thompson, Amen Thompson, and Keyonte George. Meanwhile, Miller, who was a huge part of Charlotte’s plan, is still just… waiting. If no deal gets signed by the deadline, Miller will hit restricted free agency next summer. Now, that doesn’t mean he’s definitely gone, because restricted free agency lets the Hornets match any offer sheet he signs. But come on, that’s a whole lot more headache and a lot less flexibility for the team down the road. They’d be reacting to other teams instead of controlling their own destiny.
The Hornets’ Wild Summer and Miller’s Crucial Role
Remember how the Hornets just traded away LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges this summer? That was a massive shake-up, right? Everyone figured extending Miller would be the absolute next step, a no-brainer to solidify their long-term core after making those big moves. Reports have been floating around that a deal is “expected to get done at some point,” but “at some point” needs to be, like, in the next five days! Charlotte has barely less than a week to nail down those details. Guys like Anthony Black and Cason Wallace are also in the same boat, unsigned beyond 2027, but for Charlotte, Miller’s deal feels like the linchpin right now.
This isn’t some minor detail; it’s about the foundational pieces. The Hornets have made their big moves, and now they’ve gotta follow through with their future. Keep an eye on that October 19 deadline, because if this deal doesn’t get done, things could get really interesting for Charlotte’s future core.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply