Hornets Make Decisions On Two Young Forwards, What Does It Mean For Franchise Going Forward?

The Charlotte Hornets picked up the options of Brandon Miller and Tidjane Salaun, the team announced today.  While it is not surprising that the Hornets chose to keep the pair in the fold, they did wait until the last day to make the decision. NBA teams had until today to either pick up the third- or fourth-year options of their recent first-round picks, or those players would become restricted free agents this upcoming summer.

Hornets Make Decisions On Two Young Forwards, What Does It Mean For The Franchise Going Forward?

Charlotte exercised the fourth-year option on Miller, guaranteeing his $15.1 million salary for next year. The No. 2 pick in the 2023 draft, Miller is a significant part of the Hornets’ core that they hope will end their nine-year playoff drought. However, he has struggled to stay healthy after putting up a strong rookie campaign.

Miller, who only appeared in 29 games last season, had a great opening night this season as he compiled 25 points and seven assists along with one steal and a block in 30 minutes. However, the 22-year-old suffered a shoulder injury in Game 2 and has been sidelined since.

A typical shoulder subluxation, which Miller is dealing with, typically means a player will miss three to four weeks of action. Therefore, Miller is unlikely to return to the court until mid-November.

Meanwhile, Salaun will be entering his third year next season. Just 20, Salaun’s defense remains ahead of his offense.  The No. 6 pick in 2024 will make $8.2 million next year.

Salaun, who appeared in 65 games a season ago, has shown a slight improvement offensively in the early going. But, Salaun has been relegated to the end of the Hornets’ second unit (9-10 man). He scored 10 points in the Hornets’ season-opening win over Brooklyn, though his most significant impact has been on the glass and defensive end.

Salaun averages 4.0 points, 4.8 rebounds (1.0 offensive) in 13 minutes of action. He has also compiled shooting splits of 42.9/50.0/66.7.

What does it mean for the Hornets’ Future?

Charlotte is off to a 2-3 start to the season, having lost two straight. Both of the Hornets’ wins are against fellow-rebuilding teams, Brooklyn and Washington. However, two of their three setbacks have been by double figures. Josh Green and Grant Williams have yet to play this season.

Charlotte has been one of the top offensive teams in the league, thriving when pushing the pace. The Hornets are one of the best shooting and rebounding teams in the league thus far, as well as being a selfless team. Turnovers are an issue, however.

LaMelo Ball leads the way for the Hornets with 24.4 points, 10.2 assists, and 1.8 steals. Collin Sexton, who has stepped into the starting lineup with Miller out, and Miles Bridges have also been highly productive. Kon Knueppel, Sion James, and Ryan Kalkbrenner have been among the rookies playing the best basketball in the early going.

Defensively, Charlotte has not been good. The Hornets rank in the bottom third of the league defensively as they are allowing opponents to shoot 48% from the field nd 39% from deep. While they do an excellent job of keeping opponents off the glass, they do not force a high number of turnovers.

By exercising Miller and Salaun for next year, the Hornets have 12 players under contract with a salary cap hit of $144.5 million. Therefore, the Hornets are projected to have $21 million in cap space heading into the offseason. The Hornets have a first-round draft pick and two second-round picks in the 2026 draft. Sexton, Pat Connaughton, and Mason Plumlee are unrestricted free agents this summer; thus, they are also potential trade candidates. Additionally, Williams and Green are also potential trade deadline candidates.