Brandon Miller is walking into a defining year, and Tracy McGrady thinks he already has the tools to become Charlotte’s next star. The seven-time All-Star weighed in on Miller’s trajectory as the Hornets forward prepares for his fourth NBA season, and the praise carries real weight given McGrady’s own history as a franchise scorer.With LaMelo Ball now in Minnesota and Miles Bridges shipped to Phoenix, Charlotte has cleared a path for Miller to take charge. McGrady believes this is the right moment for the young wing to make his leap.
Tracy McGrady showers praise on Brandon Miller
Speaking on Cousins with Vince Carter, McGrady pointed to Miller as the player who can carry the Hornets into their next chapter. The 23-year-old wing is taking on a much bigger role now that Ball has moved on, and McGrady expects it to show up in the numbers. He said Miller “should be a guy that averages 25-26 points, taking that next step.”It’s a bold number to hang on a young player, but McGrady clearly sees enough in Miller’s game to back it up. He added that this season should reveal whether Miller becomes the franchise cornerstone Charlotte needs him to be.Last season, Miller played 65 games and averaged 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists a game, shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from three. It was actually a slight dip from his second-year averages of 21 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists on 40.3 percent shooting and 35.5 percent from deep. Numbers aside, what stands out is the trust the front office has placed in him.
Hornets reshape the roster to clear Miller’s path
Charlotte went through a serious shake-up this offseason. Ball was sent to the Timberwolves and Bridges was dealt to the Suns, leaving Miller and second-year wing Kon Knueppel as the clear building blocks going forward.Knueppel is coming off a strong rookie year of his own, averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 47.5 percent overall and 42.5 percent from three. The 6-foot-7 forward and Knueppel give Charlotte a modern, versatile pairing to build around, but McGrady’s comments suggest Miller is the one with the higher ceiling. How Charlotte performs this season will say a lot about whether that faith was earned.
Miller’s rookie deal and what comes next
The $49 million star is entering the final year of his four-year rookie contract, one that carries a 2026-27 cap hit of $15,104,626. He is now eligible for a rookie-scale extension, and Hornets general manager Jeff Peterson has confirmed the two sides have already started talking.Insiders project a new deal could land somewhere around $191 million to $200 million over five years if it gets done before the deadline. If no agreement is reached, Miller would hit restricted free agency in the summer of 2027. For now, the bigger story is what he does on the floor, and McGrady has made it clear he expects big things.The Charlotte Hornets will begin their 2026-27 NBA regular-season campaign on the road against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.