Brandon Miller has signed a five-year extension worth $209 million with the Charlotte Hornets, solidifying his status as a key player for the franchise. The agreement was finalized just before Monday’s deadline, as reported by ESPN.
Miller, 24, had a breakout season last year, averaging 20.2 points per game. His new contract positions him to play alongside teammate Kon Knueppel on the wing, indicating the Hornets’ commitment to building around him.
Extension Comparisons Among 2023 NBA Draft Class
Miller’s extension is notable not only for its size but also in comparison to other contracts signed by members of the 2023 NBA Draft class. The five-year deal gives him an average annual value of $41.8 million, making him the 36th highest-paid player in the league by the time the contract begins in 2027-28, according to Spotrac.
His contract eclipses that of Amen Thompson, who agreed to a five-year, $208 million extension with the Houston Rockets, but is still less than the deal of top draft pick Victor Wembanyama, who secured a five-year, $252 million extension with the San Antonio Spurs.
Miller’s contract is the second-highest of the 2023 rookie extensions, second only to Wembanyama’s. Alongside Miller, Thompson, and Wembanyama, four other first-round selections from the 2023 NBA Draft also inked extensions before the deadline.
Here’s a breakdown of the rookie-scale extensions for the 2023 draftees:
| Player | Team | Draft Slot | Extension | 2025-26 Stats |
| 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 |
| Cason Wallace | Thunder | No. 10 | 5 years, $139 million | 8.6 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.6 APG |
| Keyonte George | Jazz | No. 16 | 5 years, $157.5 million | 23.6 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.1 APG |
| Brandin Podziemski | Warriors | No. 19 | 5 years, $110 million | 13.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.7 APG |
With the extension finalized, Miller is now set to lead the Hornets as they prepare to open their season against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday.
