Hornets select Brandon Miller with the No. 2 pick in NBA Draft

CHARLOTTE,N.C. (AP) — There was plenty of debate in the weeks leadinguptothe NBA draftover whether the Charlotte Hornets preferredAlabama’s Brandon Miller or the G League Ignite’s Scoot Hendersonwith the No 2 pick.

In generalmanager Mitch Kupchak’s mind there was never a debate.

“Brandonwas our favorite all along,” Kupchak said. “There was a lot ofspirited discussion in the last three days, which I welcome. ...But I think he’s the player that is the best player.”

Millergives the Hornetsan athletic 6-foot-9 wingwith asmooth shooting stroke who can knock down shots from the perimeter.He averaged 18.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game last season forthe Crimson Tide, who entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1overall seed before making an early exit.

But theSoutheastern Conference’s player of the year as a freshman comeswith some baggage.

Miller istied to a case that led to former Tide player Darius Miles andanother manbeingindictedon capital murder charges.Apolice investigator testified in Februarythat Milestexted Miller to bring him his gun that night. Miller hasn’t beencharged with wrongdoing, thoughtheongoing casebroughtintensescrutinyduring the second half of the seasonforMillerand the Alabama program.

Kupchaksaid the Hornets conducted an extensive background check on Miller,including a trip to Alabama about two weeks ago.

“We arecomfortable with Brandon on and off the court,” Kupchak said.

Miller hassaid he can’t discuss the case.

On much alighter note, Miller made news last week when he said he consideredPaul George his personal GOAT, or the greatest of all-time.

He didn’tback off that Thursday night even after being draftedbyoutgoingHornets majority owner and six-time NBA champion MichaelJordan, considered by many the best player ever.

“I think Imade it clear that Paul George is still my GOAT, but Mike isdefinitely up there when in his prime,” Miller said with a laugh.“Mike does everything. We wear his shoes and he jumps from the freethrow line. But Paul George is my GOAT.”

Millerappears to be a better positional fit for the Hornets thanHenderson, who would have joined a crowded backcourt that includesLaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier, last year’s leading scorer.

As a wing,Miller has a good chance to see significant playing time.

GordonHayward, who has struggled with injury issues, is in the final yearof his contract and it’s unclear if the team will try to re-signrestricted free agent Miles Bridges, who missed all last seasonwhile dealing with a domestic violence case. Bridgeswillservea 10-game suspension to start theseasonafterpleadingno contest last Novemberand being sentenced to servethree years of probation.

Millerfeels he should benefit from playing with Ball, who is anabove-average ball distributor.

“Melo is myguy,” Miller said. “I think with Melo, as good of a point guard ashe is, I just kind of fill in the place (on the court). And I knowhe is going to be the big brother for me away from home.”

The20-year-old Miller is also considered a much better shooter thanHenderson, addressing an area of concern for Charlotte.

The Hornetsfinished 29th in the league last season on 3-pointers at 33%.Miller shot 38.4% from beyond the arc at Alabama. Henderson shotjust 27.5% from deep last season for the Ignite, although the3-point line is deeper in the G League.

At theSpectrum Center in downtown Charlotte, the Hornets’ decision totake Miller over Henderson was greeted with a mixed reaction byabout 5,000 fans gathered for a draft party.

Before thepick, fans cheered loudly when Henderson was shown on the bigscreen.

Millerjoins a Hornets team that hasn’t reached the postseason in anNBA-worst seven straight seasons and finished with the fourth-worstrecord in the league last season at 27-55. Charlotte managed tomove up two spots in the lottery, barely missing out on the No. 1pick and Victor Wembanyama.

Kupchaksaid a handful of teams showed significant interest in trading upto the No. 2 spot, but added “we never got to the point where weseriously considered moving the pick.”

The Hornetsselected 19-year-old guard Nick Smith Jr. from Arkansas with the27th overall pick. Smith had been projected as a potential top-fivepick before a knee injury caused him to miss 19 games lastseason.

Charlottealso added James Nnaji, a 6-foot-11 center from FC Barcelona, andUCLA guard Amari Bailey in the second round.