For all the outside speculation about who the Hornets would take with their No. 2 pick, general manager Mitch Kupchak says the team never wavered in its commitment to Brandon Miller, writes Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer. Kupchak admits serious consideration was given to G League Ignite star Scoot Henderson, as both players were brought in Monday for a second workout and a meeting with team owner Michael Jordan. Miller solidified his status at that session, Kupchak confirmed in a post-draft press conference Thursday night.
“It wasn’t the easiest of decisions, but Brandon was our favorite all along,” he said. “A lot of spirited discussion the last three or four days, which I welcome, and I think it’s good for the basketball department to discuss pros and cons, pluses and minuses, argue a little bit. So, obviously, our opinion from the beginning did not change.”
The Hornets were attracted to Miller because he’s a better fit alongside point guard LaMelo Ball and he gives the team another outside shooting threat, connecting at 38.4% from long distance at Alabama this season. Although Charlotte was firm in its decision to take the freshman forward, he wasn’t told before the pick was announced by Commissioner Adam Silver.
“I found out literally when they were calling my name,” Miller said. “I was still on the phone. My reaction was a lot of excitement, smiles, hugs and handshakes. I knew my mom was going to cry, she was going to shed a tear. But there’s nothing wrong with crying, I think it happens to the best.”
There’s more from Charlotte:
- Kupchak also offered an update on Ball, who underwent surgery on March 1 for a fractured right ankle, Boone states in a separate story. “His rehab, the bone was probably 100% healed six weeks ago,” Kupchak said. “In terms of MRIs and X-rays, it’s 100% healed. He’s been on the basketball court for four to six weeks, running, shooting, jumping. He has not scrimmaged yet. He’s not played one-on-one, two-on-two. He could, but we are not even July 1 yet. What’s the rush? So, he’s … I can’t say ahead of schedule. This is exactly what the doctor expected, so we are good.”
- Kupchak refused to talk about the possible return of Miles Bridges, who sat out all of last season after pleading no contest to felony domestic violence, Boone adds. However, Kupchak told reporters that re-signing free agent forward P.J. Washington remains a priority for the offseason.
- The Hornets will try to find a veteran leader for their young team in free agency, tweets Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. Kupchak said there are players on the roster who can eventually grow into leaders, but he doesn’t see anyone who’s ready for that role yet.
They need 1 of their young boys to step up, and they could use one of their young guards to do the same. The need a scoring/spacing combo giadd off the bench, like a Herro/Poole type. They have Bouknight, and now they drafted Nick Smith, so 1 of those guys needs to be that for them
Drafting Brandon Miller may allow them to bring Terry Rozier off the bench & he’s perfect for the role you described. There’s also this young guy, Bryce McGowens, who definitely showed that he belongs in the conversation for a spot in Cha’s guard rotation next season… link to m.youtube.com
I think they need something in addition to Rozier. They also need Rozier to be better defensively, as he is capable of being. Otherwise, ya, he is more suited for the role I was talking about, as you said, in which case they would then need a guard that can playmake/defendand, preferably shoot the 3
Bryce Mcgowens scouting videos going into last year’s draft were so painfully brutal. I had never seen a person lile him before. The talent is obvious, but his mentality…his play style…it was entertaining, in a bad way, to watch him
He seemed slightly different when I saw him briefly at the end of the season, so hopefully being around Steve Clifford and guys lile Hayward helped him a little bit, and hopefully it means he is on the path to let that talent play the way it could, if he does the right things
In that case, he would be an option, but I would need to see a significant amount more to be willing to say anything further about him, just b/c I will never forget that scouting process, where I couldnt believe what I was watching, and how anybody would ever want to be on his team
If Bridges and Washington come back Rozier can go to the bench and then just have a huge starting lineup.
Ball, Miller, Bridges, Washington and Williams. Bring Rozier off the bench.
…this is super out there
*I just realized this didnt say young bigs
Trade Bridges booknight and bto NY for Barret and Evan Fournier. Then trade mark Williams and rozier or Hayward for Ayton
The Hornets may have shot themselves in the foot with this draft…
When you don’t have a star to build around you always go for the highest upside…
They already had an All-Star with Melo. He’s a tall PG with uncanny court vision and a reliable jumper so he should be easy to build around. They added Miller who has huge upside along with Smith who has the potential to be a spark plug 6th man. Seems to me that they did a great job.
A replacement All Star in the East…
He’s on DLos level…
No where near an all NBA calibre…
CHA didn’t owe Miller a prior commitment to draft him, and shouldn’t have made one. But if they made one, then of course they wavered on it. That they fulfilled it in the end doesn’t mean they didn’t waver.
Miller is the best combo F draft prospect since at least Tatum. So hard to find this skill set at the high end, the tendency to reach for it has resulted in guys being overdrafted. But Miller checks all the boxes at the spot. The WSH draftee looks the part as well.
Okay so regardless of Bridges they want to resign Washington
Ball … Miller Washington …
I’d suggest trading one of your more expensive vets (Hayward or Rozier) and trying to work a sign and trade for Bridges. No way you use the second overall pick to play off the bench and if your priority is resigning Washington then clearly Bridges is second string. He will have interest and you could get something decent back for him.
I’d suggest working something with Detroit. He can return home, pistons want to add someone for that 3 and D forward kinda role, with interest in Hunter and stuff. In that case I’d try get back either Bagley or Wiseman and draft capital.
Get a back up big, fresh start with a new player with high potential.
As for the veteran trade. I think SG and C are the kinda jokes that need filling. Potential big names that could be available DeAndre Ayton, Zach LaVine and Jarrett Allen. Even a step down to a Gary Trent Jr could be a step in the right direction.
Trent Jr offensively doesn’t need many touches he’s just a shooter, and defensively he actually has really good steal numbers and tipped passes and stuff. Not the best on the ball but not awful. Ideal for floor spacing and secondary playmaking.
They need to go young and rebuild a little. Find a young SG and PF. Sign and trade Washington for a young PF. Or re-sign K Jones and nobody else. Trade Rozier, Hayward, and Thor for a young SG and PF, the rest can be expiring contracts. Rebuild in one year. Hopefully Mark Williams heels up fast . They drafted a good sixth man SG Maybe and a 3rd string SG in the draft.
Trade for Barret, Ayton, keldon Johnson. Resign Washington, K Jones, maybe Nick Richards. Let Bridges, bouknight, Oubre, Svi, Dennis Smith, Theo, Sneed and Simmons walk. Trade Rozier, Hayword and Thor for a young SG and PF maybe. If young PF too then let Washington walk. Gain expiring contract or two. Busy signing bench. Get good pick next year. Rebuild.
Trade for AJ Griffin on the Hawks and Smith on the Rockets. Ball, griffin, Miller, Smith and Williams is a good future. Sign bench in off-season. Rebuild fixed