Key stat shows where Brandon Miller needs to improve going forward

Before the 2023-24 regular season began, excitement around the Charlotte Hornets was palpable. With a healthy roster and a promising youngster who was a sleeper candidate for the 2024 Rookie of the Year award, the team looked poised to improve on its showing in the 2022-23 campaign.

However, injuries and the lack of depth doomed Charlotte. If it weren't for the Washington Wizards and Detroit Pistons having more woeful runs, the franchise would have placed last in the Eastern Conference for the first time since the 2011-12 season.

The good news for the Hornets is that Brandon Miller validated the front office's decision to draft him ahead of other prospects, like Scoot Henderson and the Thompson twins.

Brandon Miller should improve his catch-and-shoot efficiency

Amid the Hornets' struggles in the standings and with roster continuity, Miller was a bright spot for the Hive.

The University of Alabama product averaged 17.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.5 3-pointers per game. He also displayed his ability to become a knockdown shooter from downtown with his 37.3% 3-point field-goal percentage and 82.7% free-throw percentage.

An argument can be made that Miller can be a more effective player for the Hornets if he can improve his catch-and-shoot efficiency.

There are high hopes that LaMelo Ball can finally overcome his health problems, which would give the squad a needed elite playmaker and could mean fewer shot-creating opportunities for the 21-year-old swingman.

In 74 appearances in the 2023-24 campaign, Miller attempted 5.1 catch-and-shoot tries per contest from beyond the arc. He connected on 38.3% of such shots. That wasn't too shabby, considering the aspiring star was even better from that range than Klay Thompson. His effective field-goal percentage on catch-and-shoot attempts (57.3%), though, was a bit subpar and exhibited that he has some work to do.

If the Tennessee native can be more efficient with those shots while still being a potent scorer when the ball is in his hands, Charlotte's offense will likely see a major boost.

Miller already proved last season that he is one of the league's brightest prospects, securing enough votes to become a finalist for the top rookie plum. He ended up third behind the 2023 No. 1 draft pick Victor Wembanyama and redshirt rookie Chet Holmgren.

But many eyes will be on him as he navigates a dreaded second year in the league. It remains to be seen if Miller will hit a sophomore slump or take a leap. If he works on his off-ball prowess, chances are he will experience the latter.