Charlotte Hornets Alumni: Can Frank Kaminsky put struggles behind him with Suns?
Charlotte Hornets alum Frank Kaminsky will have a fresh start with the Phoenix Suns, and the opportunity to put his career back on track.
The 2019-20 season is right around the corner, and it’s going to be a year of change for the Charlotte Hornets. Many familiar faces, like Frank Kaminsky, will be playing elsewhere after a disappointing off-season in which the Hornets lost multiple key contributors.
Kaminsky signed a two-year, $10 million deal with the Phoenix Suns shortly after the start of free agency, ending a four-year tenure in Charlotte filled with many ups and downs. The Hornets did not extend him a qualifying offer, which made him an unrestricted free agent.
Even though Kaminsky ended the 2018-19 season strongly, it was in his best interest to sign elsewhere. He didn’t really fit into the Hornets plans moving forward, and that became even more clear after the team drafted PJ Washington 12th overall back in June.
Washington is the power forward of the future for the Hornets, and with Miles Bridges also expected to spend significant time at power forward, there was just no minutes available for Frank the Tank.
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He was out of the rotation for the majority of the 2018-19 season, and just never really lived up to the hype during his time with the Hornets. Kaminsky averaged 9.8 points during the past four seasons, but struggled defensively and shot just 42 percent from the field, which is quite low for a 7-footer.
So, Kaminsky is now in the desert with the Suns, and it’s a good landing spot for him. Phoenix needed some more shooting, so adding guys like Kaminsky, Dario Saric and Cameron Johnson will certainly help in that department.
Kaminsky won’t be a starter for the Suns, but I do see him as a rotational player for them. He could be a really nice piece if he can consistently hit from the perimeter and show improvement as a defender.
Phoenix hasn’t won at least 25 games in the past four years, which is, quite frankly, an embarrassment. They are trying to turn things around, and may be headed in the right direction after their off-season which saw them land some key pieces in Ricky Rubio, Kaminsky and others.
It remains to be seen if Kaminsky can play a major part in Phoenix’s (hopeful) turnaround, but I really hope he gets more opportunity than he did in Charlotte. He had his good moments, especially towards the end of last season, but the relationship between he and the organization seemed to have gotten beyond repair at one point.
Next. Frank Kaminsky will have chance at rejuvenation in Phoenix. dark
Be sure to stay tuned for more Charlotte Hornets Alumni articles in the future. It’s fun to watch and write about the current players on the roster, but it’s also fun to keep tabs on some of the past faces that have been through the Spectrum Center.