NBA Notes: Hornets, Brandon Miller, Jazz, Keyonte George, gambling probe

Hornets

The Hornets locked in two young pieces for the long haul, exercising rookie-scale team options on Brandon Miller and Tidjane Salaun, per a team release.

That means both players are guaranteed salaries for the 2026-27 season.

Miller, the No. 2 pick in 2023, will earn $15.1 million in the final year of his rookie deal. Salaun, taken sixth overall in 2024, is set for $8.24 million.

Miller looked like a franchise cornerstone as a rookie, averaging 17.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting behind Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren.

His second act didn’t go as smoothly — as he’s been limited to just 29 games since because of injuries, including wrist surgery and a current shoulder issue.

Salaun didn’t make the same kind of splash last year, shooting just 33 percent from the field and 28 percent from three.

But Charlotte still believes in his upside and chose to guarantee another year. He’ll make about $10.45 million in 2027-28 if the Hornets pick up that final option next fall.

Jazz

So far, new team president Austin Ainge is backing up his word. He promised the Jazz wouldn’t tank again and early signs suggest he meant it.

The Jazz are 2-2 after wins over the Clippers and Suns, with both losses coming by a combined three points. The real headline has been Keyonte George, who looks like a breakout guard in Year 3.

George is averaging 22.3 points and 9.3 assists through four games. His defense has been sharper, his leadership more vocal, and his focus more team-oriented, as noted by Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune.

“My exit interview, it was pretty blunt,” George said. “It basically was about, you know, ‘It’s time to grow up.’”

He’s still ironing out his shot (22 percent from three) and cutting back on turnovers (4.3 per game), but Larsen described his effort as “night and day” from a year ago.

George said he’s learning when to defer and when to attack.

“Put the ball in our playmakers’ hands,” he explained, referencing Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler, and Brice Sensabaugh.

NBA Investigation

Congress is watching the NBA closely.

Both the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation have requested briefings from commissioner Adam Silver following gambling-related arrests of Terry Rozier, Chauncey Billups, and Damon Jones.

As reported by Joe Vardon of The Athletic, the committees are seeking documents and details about how the league handles gambling investigations.

That said, Silver isn’t expected to testify on Capitol Hill anytime soon. Vardon details the how and why in his piece.