Brandon Miller is Next in Line for a $200M Payday After George, Thompson Cash In
Keyonte George ($157.5M) and Ausar Thompson ($155M) got theirs Friday. Miller could top them all — if his body cooperates.
A cornerstone role and $200M upside make him a strong dynasty buy.
- George: 5yr/$157.5M; Ausar Thompson: 5yr/$155M
- Miller projected at 5yr/$200M by Charlotte
- Miller missed 55 games in 2024-25, 17 last season
- Miller: 20.2 pts, 4.9 reb, 3.3 ast in 65 games (2025-26)
- Hornets dealt LaMelo Ball to Minnesota this offseason
The 2023 draft class kept the checks flowing Friday. Jazz guard Keyonte George agreed to a five-year, $157.5 million rookie-scale extension, and Pistons wing Ausar Thompson followed with a nearly identical five-year, $155 million deal. That makes four players from the class paid so far, joining Victor Wembanyama and Amen Thompson — Ausar's twin.
The next domino, and maybe the biggest one, is Brandon Miller. Charlotte's projected extension for its young forward lands around five years and $200 million, which would push his average annual value past George's. Miller has flashed top-of-class talent — he averaged 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 65 games last season (2025-26) — but the health file is the sticking point.
Why Charlotte Is All-In
The Hornets cleared the runway this summer by trading LaMelo Ball to Minnesota, leaving relatively clean books beyond this season. That move signals a full commitment to the young core of Miller and Kon Knueppel. Charlotte took Miller over Scoot Henderson at No. 2 back in 2023, and while Henderson's career has stalled, Miller has given the front office every reason to pay him at the top of the class.
The catch is durability. Miller sat out 55 games in 2024-25 and another 17 last season, so the $200 million number carries real risk. If he stays on the floor and keeps developing, that contract could look like a bargain within a couple of years. If the injuries linger, it's an anchor.
The Fantasy Read
Miller sits at No. 64 overall in our rankings (No. 24 at forward) on the strength of 33.6 fantasy points per game last season (2025-26). His last-5 form was down 3.7 fantasy points versus his season average, but that's noise next to the bigger picture: a No. 1 offensive option on a rebuilding team with the ball in his hands more than ever after the Ball trade.
For fantasy managers, Miller is a buy-low target, especially in dynasty. The usage bump post-LaMelo and the franchise's clear investment point to a rising ceiling. The only thing standing between him and a top-40 season is his own availability — draft him with the upside in mind and monitor those injury reports closely.
