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Buzz City Beat: Charlotte Hornets scout Luke Kennard at pro day, Is Kaminsky a bust?

By Jerry Stephens

Mar 29, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Charlotte Hornets center Frank Kaminsky (44) drives to the basket past Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (42) in the first half at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Charlotte Hornets center Frank Kaminsky (44) drives to the basket past Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (42) in the first half at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buzz City Beat is Swarm and Sting’s one stop for the best articles from around the internet surrounding the Charlotte Hornets.

The Golden State Warriors ran through the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game One of their NBA Finals matchup. In this edition of Buzz City beat, we look at Rich Cho scouting Luke Kennard at his pro day, if Frank Kaminsky is a bust and why the Charlotte Hornets will miss out on their top free-agent target in Darren Collison.

Rich Cho and Charlotte scout Luke Kennard at Pro Day (BleacherReport.com)

"Searching for offense on the wing, the Charlotte Hornets can look to Luke Kennard. General manager Rich Cho also showed up to Kennard’s pro day on Wednesday, per DraftExpress’ Jonathan Givony."

Even though Kennard is one of the best pure shooters in this year’s draft, it would be a major reach for the Hornets to select him at No. 11. If they traded back and got him later in the first round, that would be fine but not in the lottery. If the team wants to draft wing depth with their first round pick, they should go with Justin Jackson over Luke. He offers more upside on both ends of the floor.

Would Kennard really be that much of an upgrade over Marco Belinelli or Jeremy Lamb? I’m not too sure about that but with Cho at the Duke products’ pro day, it looks like drafting Luke could be a serious option for Charlotte. This is the first real news we’ve seen about the team scouting a potential lottery prospect so far this summer.

Why the Hornets won’t get Darren Collison (BleacherReport.com)

"Signing Collison is their Everest, and they’re not reaching the top of the mountain. Paying Shelvin Mack is a more realistic goal."

While I admit that signing Collison will be difficult, as will just about every other notable free agent for Charlotte, they may have a good chance to get him because of what they can offer. He won’t get a starting role with the team but he will get ample playing time, command of the second unit, a pretty good amount of money and a chance to make the playoffs.

Even if getting Darren is an uphill battle, the Hornets must go after him because he is the best and most logical fit. As for Shelvin Mack, is he really that much of an upgrade over Ramon Sessions? I don’t think so. If not Collison, then there surely must be better options out there like Ty Lawson, Patty Mills or Sergio Rodriguez.

Is Frank Kaminsky a bust? (BasketballInsiders.com)

"Unfortunately, the list of gigantic flops (pun intended) is pretty depressing, and this is a mistake GMs will never stop making because the potential payoff is entirely too big. Literally."

Next: Prospects the Hornets should take a closer look at

Joel Brigham lists Kaminsky along with a number of other big men including Bismack Biyombo as busts who were taken in the first round in recent drafts. While Frank is not and will never be a star, I think labeling him a bust is jumping the gun a bit. He has proven that he is a reliable scoring/shooting option off the bench and if he can be a solid role player for 8-10 years, then he shouldn’t be considered a bust.

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