Having signed a record five-year, $209 million contract, Brandon Miller has one goal: ending the Charlotte Hornets' 10-year playoff drought. Charlotte have not reached the postseason since 2015-16 and have not won a playoff series in 24 seasons. "Our goal is the playoffs... We want to be known as a playoff team. And we want to win as many games as we can. We know what our identity is. We know what it takes to get there," Miller said at a ceremony at the Spectrum Center. Jeff Peterson, the Hornets' executive vice-president of basketball operations, traded away LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges after the team finished 44-38 and lost to the Orlando Magic in the play-in.
Miller's deal surpasses the $203 million agreement Ball signed three years ago. In the season-opening 110-103 win over the Brooklyn Nets, newcomer Naz Reid had 20 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, while Miller added 18 points. The No 2 pick in the 2023 draft averaged 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists over 65 games last season despite a shoulder injury.
