Exploring three potential Frank Kaminsky trades for the Charlotte Hornets

Frank Kaminsky has been a divisive name among Charlotte Hornets fans since he was drafted. Let’s explore some potential trades.

Ever since it was reported that the Celtics offered four picks for the 9th pick in 2015 where Kaminsky was selected, Charlotte Hornets‘ fans are left to imagine what could have been. For reference, the report offered the 2015 15th pick (Kelly Oubre), the 2015 16th pick (Terry Rozier), an unprotected pick from Brooklyn (which we are left to assume would’ve been the pick in this upcoming 2018 draft – projected as Jaren Jackson) and a choice between a Memphis and Minnesota pick, expected to convey in 2019, 2020, or 2021. While tearing open still-healing wounds is not the point of this imaginary exercise, it does give us reference for Frank’s trade value now.

Of these two trades, I think the first is the most realistic. Charlotte gets a strong hustle guy that can still shoot a solid percentage from deep, and Brooklyn get a potential stretch 5 and floor spacer next to D’Angelo Russell and Jeremy Lin.

*Trade 1: Frank Kaminsky to Brooklyn, Quincy Acy and a 2018 Second Round pick to Charlotte***

**Trade 2*: Frank Kaminsky and a protected first-round pick to Brooklyn, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson to Charlotte.***

Utah Jazz

The Jazz play at the fourth slowest pace in the league. After the departure of Gordon Hayward, their offensive strategy has been close to nonexistent, with rookie Donovan Mitchell taking 14.4 shots per game and Ricky Rubio shooting 28% on 4 threes per game. While Coach Quin Snyder is making the most of his roster, they still struggle on offense. Kaminsky’s talents off the dribble, with his back to the basket, and spotting up all demonstrated here would be huge for Utah.

Trade 1: Frank Kaminsky and Marvin Williams to Utah, Derrick Favors to Charlotte

Trade 2: Frank Kaminsky and a top 5 protected pick to Utah, Rodney Hood to Charlotte

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In all honesty, while Frank makes for a good fit for Utah, the salaries don’t really match up that well. Derrick Favors would be a great addition to the frontcourt, but he’s an expiring contract, and I don’t imagine he’d stay. Rodney Hood is a great player, but he overlaps a lot with the skillsets of Jeremy Lamb and Nic Batum.

The potential of a Walker/Batum/Hood/Kidd-Gilchrist/Howard lineup is very interesting, but personally, I would not be willing to part with the picks required to obtain him. Overall, it just doesn’t seem too likely he ends up there.

Philadelphia 76ers

Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid have led Philadelphia to an incredibly hot 11-8 record so far, even though they have the toughest schedule in the league so far. They shoot about 30 threes per game, good for 13th in the league.

100% of Frank’s three’s this year have been assisted, so playing next to Philly’s dynamic passers would be great for his spot up shooting. Additionally, Amir Johnson is only on a one year contract, so having a long-term back up big man would be beneficial for them.

Trade 1: Frank Kaminsky to Philadelphia, Nik Stauskas and a second-round pick to Charlotte

Trade 2: Frank Kaminsky to Philadelphia, Justin Anderson to Charlotte

Both of these trades make sense for both teams. In the first, Charlotte gets an expiring and a second for some more contract freedom for the upcoming off-season. In the second, they get a bouncy backup combo forward that can continue MKG’s frenetic defense on the second unit.

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All in all, a Frank Kaminsky trade isn’t likely, at least not until later in the season. These are all some potential swaps that make sense for all involved, at least for the fans who are imagining a world in which he’s traded. Only time will tell if Frank can become more consistent. For our record’s sake, let’s hope it happens sooner rather than later.

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