Brandon Miller Will be Vitally Important to Hornets’ Future

The 2023 NBA Draft is officially in the rear view for the Charlotte Hornets.

Amidst an ownership transfer, Charlotte took a shot on Brandon Miller second overall, much to the dismay of analysts, Hornets fans and more. From within the organization, it likely wasn’t a time of peace and tranquility.

Now, fans and experts alike have had of plenty of time to sit back and reevaluate. And in that time, we had 2023 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, too. With some distance between the polarizing pick, Miller’s selection seems less crazy by the day.

A jumbo, 6-foot-9 playmaker with sniper-level shooting chops next to an already oversized point guard with premier passing ability in LaMelo Ball? What’s not to like?

Miller made his name with Alabama shooting the ball, hitting on 38 percent of his 7.5 3-pointers taken per game. But his true value lies within his on-ball ability down the line. He has a rapidly improving handle, functional athleticism and enough speed and burst to become a potential secondary creator in the big leagues.

Next to Ball, who has shot 38 percent on his own 7.5 3-pointers per game in his young career, Miller could moonlight as the lead initiator at times with above-average passing chops for his archetype.

Suffice to say, Miller is going to be vitally important this iteration of the Hornets reaching their ceiling. His shot-making and defense will be key, of course. But his ability to portray star tendencies and function as a lead or secondary option, even for short periods of time, will take major pressure off the team in general.

None of that is to be expected in year one, but his longterm development should yield plenty of benefits for Charlotte.

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