Hornets
Brandon Miller says he’s almost back to full strength after undergoing wrist surgery midway through last NBA season.
The Hornets forward told The Charlotte Observer’s Langston Wertz Jr. that his right wrist is “probably around 90-95 percent now,” and he fully expects to be ready for the start of the 2025-26 campaign.
Miller had surgery in January to repair a torn scapholunate ligament, cutting short what had been a promising second year. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 draft and an All-Rookie First Team selection in 2023-24, Miller had appeared in just 27 games this past season before being shut down.
Still, in limited action, the Alabama product posted 21.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game, while also averaging 1.1 steals and 0.7 blocks. He shot 40.3 percent from the field, 35.5 percent from three and 86.1 percent from the line while logging 34.2 minutes per contest.
“Playing 27 games, that was the hardest thing of my career,” Miller said. “Just watching basketball the whole season. My goal is always to play every game and play 110 percent in every game.”
Now back to doing contact drills, Miller said he knew he was turning a corner when he could shoot without pain.
He’s optimistic about the Hornets’ direction and the possibility of finally building chemistry with star guard LaMelo Ball, who has also struggled with injuries in recent years.
“It’s always the main thing, you know, just keeping our bodies together,” Miller said. “Having us two on the floor can make the big difference in having a winning team.”
He also praised the team’s Summer League performance — Charlotte won the Las Vegas title — and said he’s eager to play alongside first-round picks Kon Knueppel and Liam McNeeley.
“They’re going to bring space, a lot of space, with their shooting ability,” Miller said. “Their confidence is going to be the biggest thing, just building it early.”
Clippers
The Clippers have officially waived forward Patrick Baldwin Jr., according to the NBA transaction log. The move opens up a two-way contract spot for Jordan Miller.
Baldwin, the 28th pick in the 2022 draft, has bounced around since entering the league. He spent his rookie season with Golden State before being shipped to Washington in the Jordan Poole–Chris Paul deal.
After a stint with the Wizards, he was traded to San Antonio at this year’s trade deadline, waived shortly after, and finished the 2024-25 season with the Clippers on a two-way deal.
Across 93 career NBA games, Baldwin has averaged 3.7 points and 2.0 rebounds in just under nine minutes per game.
He’s had more opportunities in the G League, averaging 17.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 23 games this past season split between the Capital City Go-Go and the San Diego Clippers. He also chipped in 1.4 blocks and 1.3 steals per game and shot 48.9 percent from the field.
Baldwin still has a year of two-way eligibility remaining, and the Clippers reportedly have interest in bringing him back on an Exhibit 10 contract if he clears waivers.
Miller will now take the newly vacated two-way spot, joining Kobe Sanders and Trentyn Flowers as L.A.’s current two-way players.
Pistons
The Pistons have signed guard Colby Jones to a two-way contract, the team confirmed via press release.
Jones, 23, was acquired by Washington at this year’s trade deadline and made the most of his opportunity there, averaging 8.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists across 15 games while shooting 46.6 percent from the floor.
Originally drafted 34th overall in 2023 by the Kings, Jones was sent to Oklahoma City earlier this summer in a cap-related move and was waived shortly thereafter. He now lands in Detroit, where he joins Tolu Smith on a two-way deal. The Pistons still have a two-way qualifying offer out to Daniss Jenkins.
Jones gives Detroit another versatile option in the backcourt, and this marks his first stint under a two-way contract.
