The Charlotte Hornets are obviously in it for the long haul, with team president Jeff Peterson having stated that they are taking no shortcuts, and the current offseason proving just as much. It's a massive gamble, though, that LaMelo Ball can reach his ceiling and Brandon Miller can turn into the perennial All-Star he is expected to be.
Zach Lowe believes the Hornets' rebuilding efforts are "going nowhere if Miller isn't an All-Star." Even if Ball becomes the franchise savior that some fans are hoping he would become, he still needs an offensive partner to help take some of the pressure off him. Right now, Miller is the only guy Charlotte has who can be that kind of star.
The good news is that the former No. 2 pick can likely "hit" his potential, as Lowe put it. He has shown an immense offensive upside despite some shortcomings, including the lack of elite handles and inefficient scoring inside the paint. His defense still needs some work, but he has the physique, athleticism, and IQ to at least not be a black hole in that department.
Also, Miller's confidence in himself should only work to his advantage.
Brandon Miller has to get and stay healthy
A key challenge for BMill for now is to show that he can overcome the first (and hopefully last) major injury of his career. It was unfortunate that his development had to take a pause following a wrist ailment that caused him to appear in just 27 games last season.
There's a reason for the Hornets to feel optimistic, as the rising star recently shared that his wrist is "around 90 to 95 percent" and that he will be ready the "first day the season starts." Perhaps the bigger takeaway from his update via Langston Wertz Jr. of the Charlotte Observer is that he will likely go through a full training camp.
One of the perils of sustaining a season-ending injury is that it can cause a player to miss a chunk or the entirety of training camp. For someone like Miller, such an outcome could hamper his progress at a crucial juncture. Fortunately, that won't turn out to be the case.
Hopefully, the Hornets can maximize the time they have this summer to help Miller take a huge step in his growth toward becoming the All-Star-caliber guy that he is supposed to be.
Does that mean he should make it a goal to become an All-Star next year? One can definitely dream big. However, his chances of getting votes to the midseason showcase in 2026 are pretty slim. Even in the following campaigns, the odds may continue to be against him unless Charlotte starts notching more wins than losses because team records typically influence how the voters select their choices.
Still, even without an All-Star nod, Miller can impact the Hornets' evolution into a contender if he produces at an All-Star level.