The Charlotte Hornets might not be that good this season, but at least they have a fan in renowned media personality Bill Simmons. The latest Hornet he heaped high praises on is Brandon Miller, even describing him as a potential five-time All-NBA selection.
"I just really enjoy when they have all their guys," Simmons said about the Hornets on his podcast. "Brandon Miller is one of those guys, if you catch him on the right night, this guy might make five All-NBA teams.
At this point in Miller's career, it's a bit far-fetched to think that he will receive an All-NBA nod in the future, let alone five times. And it's not just blind affection from Simmons, who also predicted earlier this year that Kon Knueppel will represent Team USA in the 2028 Olympics.
The Ringer founder offered a pointed criticism toward LaMelo Ball, asserting that the star has been the "weak part" for Charlotte this year. Unfortunately, there's some truth to the statement, as Ball has been much more inefficient from the field by his standards.
So, it seems Simmons' assessment of the Hornets was balanced, and he might actually believe that Miller can (technically) become one of the 15 best players during at least five seasons.
High expectations for Brandon Miller
The question now is if the third-year pro can reach the ceiling Simmons has suggested. He certainly has the scoring talent and a bit of all-around skills to do so. However, he has yet to fully hone his handles, which has limited his offensive bag to more catch-and-shoot and pull-up jump shots. It's a shame because Miller has the ability to posterize or evade opponents at the rim.
It should help Miller's case if he can become a dependable wing defender. He certainly has the opportunity to grow into one, given his length and athleticism. Buzz City also needs him to make headway in that area because of the shortage of elite perimeter stoppers on the roster.
Perhaps the more concerning problem now, though, is that injuries have limited his availability these past two seasons. After suiting up in 27 games in the 2024-25 campaign, he has already missed 16 of Charlotte's first 24 bouts this year. Miller's shoulder injury may have also affected his shooting, as he went 11-46 from the field in his last three appearances.
Hopefully, the former No. 2 pick can live up to such lofty expectations, although it doesn't look like that would turn out to be the case based on how his career has progressed so far. Still, the Hornets organization and its fans are surely hoping that Miller can develop into an All-NBA-level player, as it should help bring the franchise to respectability around the league.