The Hornets have picked up their rookie scale team options on wing Brandon Miller and forward Tidjane Salaun, the team announced today in a press release.
[RELATED: Decisions On 2026/27 Rookie Scale Team Options]
The club’s decision to exercise Miller’s fourth-year option and Salaun’s third-year option ensures that both players are guaranteed to receive their full salaries for the 2026/27 season. Miller, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 draft, will make $15,104,626 in the final year of his rookie contract, while Salaun, 2024’s sixth overall pick, will earn $8,237,880.
Miller had a terrific rookie season for Charlotte in 2023/24, averaging 17.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game in 74 outings (68 starts) and finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting behind star big men Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren. However, he has been limited to just 29 appearances since then due to health issues, including wrist surgery last season. He’s currently sidelined as a result of a left shoulder subluxation.
Salaun didn’t make the same sort of impact as Miller in his own rookie season in 2024/25, posting an underwhelming shooting line of .330/.283/.713 in 60 games and averaging just 5.9 points and 4.7 rebounds in 20.7 minutes per contest. The 20-year-old Frenchman has played 13.8 minutes per night off the bench so far this fall, but the Hornets remain confident enough in his longer-term outlook to lock in his $8.2MM salary for next season.
While Miller will become eligible for a rookie scale extension in 2026, Charlotte will have to make one more decision on Salaun’s rookie contract, either exercising or declining his 2027/28 option (worth about $10.45MM) next fall.