Expected contract terms revealed for Brandon Miller after 2023 NBA Draft selection
Alabama forward Brandon Miller, thanks to his lofty spot in the NBA Draft, automatically becomes a very rich man.
Spotrac, a database for contract details, spelled out financial details for Miller after the Charlotte Hornets selected him with the second pick of the draft.
His contract will be four years, paying $49.3 million. His rookie salary will be $10.8 million, followed by $11.4 million; $11.9 millionm then $15.1 million. The Hornets have the option for the last two years.
Of course, Victor Wembanyama, the top selection of the draft, landed the most lucrative deal. His also is four years for $55.16 million. The San Antonio Spurs drafted Wembanyama, who grew up outside Paris. The 7-foot-5 center is thought to be a generation-defining talent. When the Spurs won the lottery, it was a given that Wembanyama would go No. 1.
That left a smidge of drama for the No. 2 pick. Charlotte opted for Brandon Miller after considering Scoot Henderson, a guard from G League Ignite. Henderson, who went pro immediately after high school, was the youngest player in G League history. After the Hornets selected Miller, the Trail Blazers drafted Henderson with the third pick.
“Obviously, there were two players that were heavily considered at that position,” Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak told reporters after the pick. “Brandon was the favorite all along. It wasn’t the easiest decision, but Brandon was our favorite all along. A lot of spirited discussion the last three or four days, which I welcome, and it’s good for the basketball department to discuss pros and cons.”
ESPN reported that the Hornets brought in both Miller and Henderson for additional workouts earlier this week.
Miller earned SEC freshman of the year honors as he helped lead the Crimson Tide to No. 1 in the polls for parts of the regular season. He averaged 18.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists this past season. He shot 43% from the field and hit 38% from 3-point range.
Miller also earned MVP of the SEC tournament with the Crimson Tide winning the title. The team secured a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, but lost in the Sweet 16 to upstart San Diego State.
With the Hornets, Brandon Miller likely will play alongside LaMelo Ball.
“I know we are going to go in and have as much fun as we can in Charlotte,” Brandon Miller said as he celebrated going No. 2.