Brandon Miller, selected as the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, has secured a significant contract extension with the Charlotte Hornets ahead of his fourth season. The agreement covers five years and is valued at $209 million, as reported by The Associated Press.
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In the previous season, the 23-year-old averaged 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game despite grappling with a shoulder injury. Over his three seasons in the league, he has averaged 19 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. With LaMelo Ball traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Miller is expected to take on a more prominent role in the upcoming 2026-27 season.
Miller was drafted after the San Antonio Spurs selected Victor Wembanyama, but his draft stock faced uncertainty due to a controversial incident during his last season at Alabama. In January 2023, he was connected to the death of 23-year-old Jamea Harris, as he transported the murder weapon to a former teammate, Darius Miles, who legally owned the gun. Miles subsequently handed the firearm to Michael Lynn Davis, who was convicted of the fatal shooting.
Though Miller was never charged with any crimes and did not receive special treatment for cooperating with authorities, he testified in the capital murder trial, confirming he brought the gun to the scene but stated he was unaware of its intended use. During the confrontation, bullets struck his vehicle, but he was not injured.
Miller’s connection to the case had repercussions as he faced backlash from fans of opposing teams during games. Despite the challenges, he performed exceptionally, scoring 41 points in a game against South Carolina, where he addressed the booing crowd, 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."
With his legal troubles behind him, Miller’s performance in college facilitated his transition to the NBA, leading the Hornets to believe in his potential and ultimately rewarding him with a lucrative contract.