For decades, the Charlotte Hornets have been an afterthought in the Eastern Conference. Other than some respectable seasons over the years, they’ve rarely been more than a footnote in the NBA title race, but they finally made some traction last season, going 44-38 to finish ninth in the standings.

So when the Hornets abruptly traded Ball, along with starting small forward Mikal Bridges, many fans saw it as an unnecessary reset, and reluctantly braced for Brandon Miller’s departure. Instead, thanks partly to Michael Jordan, the Hornets have stuck to their guns, declaring Miller a long-term staple of the team. According to Zach Lowe, Jordan himself called the Hornets GM to make sure that Miller was safe from the trade block.

“About 14 months after that meeting [between Jordan and Miller], as the Hornets completed their offseason revamp by trading Miles Bridges to the Phoenix Suns, Peterson’s phone rang. It was Jordan. The former owner wanted to make sure that Peterson wasn’t trading Miller too,” wrote Zach Lowe. “Peterson reassured Jordan: Miller was staying.”

As a six-time champion and the NBA’s GOAT, according to many, Jordan is one of the best judge of talents there is. He knows what it takes to win, and he knows a special player when he sees one. Typically, he doesn’t get involved when it comes to team decisions regarding roster moves, but he has a special interest in this case.

Jordan famously owned the Hornets from 2010 to 2023, with a mission to bring them up to relevance in the NBA. While he ultimately failed in his mission, he helped set the stage for their current situation as a rising young team. Under his leadership, the Hornets drafted Miller and gave him the freedom to grow and expand his game.

Today, while Jordan is no longer running the show in Charlotte, he still wants to see them succeed, and he knows that Miller will help them reach their goals. This season, outside of LaMelo’s shadow, he’s averaging a career-high 23.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game on 37.8% shooting. While his efficiency has been lacking, his constant aggression has kept the offense moving, and his activity on the other end has set the example for his teammates.

Of course, Kon Knueppel is also a core part of the plan. While he has yet to make his debut this season, the Hornets are convinced he can become a reliable, go-to star for them on both ends of the floor. At 21, he still has a lot to prove, but his chemistry with Miller and other Hornets players has been impressive.

This season, at 3-5, the Hornets are on track for another mediocre season, but they have the pieces to become a really good team in the future. For Brandon Miller specifically, earning Michael Jordan’s approval is no easy feat, and it just goes to show how strong an impression he’s made on the franchise. Had they not heeded MJ’s warning and traded him anyway, their situation may not be nearly as lucrative today.