Charlotte Hornets: Examining Frank Kaminsky’s Fit & Future

Looking At The Good

There are several avenues to look at this draft pick, but most of them revolve around whether or not the pick actually fits for the needs of the Hornets. To start, we’ll look at the good of the pick.

Scoring Threat:

Aside from Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson, the Hornets really struggled to put points on the board. Unfortunately, both of them missed big chunks of the season, important games that could’ve pushed the Hornets five or six games in the right direction and into the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference.

To make room for Kaminsky, Charlotte traded away Noah Vonleh, along with Gerald Henderson, in exchange for Nicolas Batum. This opens the door for Kaminsky in the rotation and brings in a player who knows what he is rather than a project, which is what Vonleh was the second he declared for the draft.

Nobody was really sure what Vonleh would become, and now we’ll find out in Portland.

With Kaminsky, the Hornets have a floor spacer, somebody who can knock down the three and a body to put in if/when Jefferson suffers another injury this coming season. Of players that spent the entire season with Charlotte and played in the majority of the games, Marvin Williams had the best three-point shooting percentage at 35.8 percent.

If Marvin Williams is the best outside shooter on the team, something obviously needs to change.

Depth:

Vonleh played in just 25 games last season, which didn’t add a whole lot to the rotation for Charlotte. Kaminsky is sure to provide more playing time for the Hornets and gives them another option should Jefferson decide to seek employment elsewhere as a free agent next summer.

Of course, Kaminsky and Jefferson are two very different players, but it’s an option for Charlotte. Kaminsky, Hawes and Cody Zeller aren’t the best options to have to challenge for a championship, but playoff contention? Sure.

Right now, the projected starting lineup for the Hornets includes Walker, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Batum, Kaminsky and Jefferson. While it doesn’t strike fear in opponents, it is a lineup that’s versatile. If Walker can re-find his shooting stroke (30 percent from three last season), adding him to The Tank and Batum’s outside shooting opens the floor for Jefferson in the post.

Batum, Jefferson and MKG will be relied upon heavily for the defensive effort, but the offense looks a lot better with a stretch-4 in Kaminsky.

Personality:

Kaminsky’s a loveable goofball. He chooses Kirby in Super Smash Bros., knows who he is, is comfortable in his own skin and loves to dance (awkwardly, mind you).

Don’t underestimate this aspect. A player comfortable with himself makes for a better player. It’s those that don’t really know who they are, as a player and as a person, who often struggle to translate at the next level. It’s one of those undervalued qualities that can really pay off. I mean, Nick Young still has a job, so Kaminsky’s sure to at least have a solid career path, right?

Next: The Bad