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Predicting Frank Kaminsky’s 2019-20 NBA Season for the Phoenix Suns

By Kevin Fisher

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 10: Frank Kaminsky #44 of the Charlotte Hornets looks to pass the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns on March 10, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 10: Frank Kaminsky #44 of the Charlotte Hornets looks to pass the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns on March 10, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Late in the offseason, the Phoenix Suns shored up their power forward depth with the addition of Frank Kaminsky. But how will he fit with the newly revamped roster?

In a sort of combo-move that involved allowing Dragan Bender to walk (initially to Russia but now – and surprisingly – to the Milwaukee Bucks), James Jones and the Phoenix Suns added former Wisconsin star Frank Kaminsky as one of the final pieces to fill out the 2019-20 roster.

Signing a two-year, $9.7 million contract with the Suns via the room exception which, in simple terms, means that his salary will not count against the team’s salary cap.

Frank ‘The Tank’ Kaminsky is a 7’0” 26-year-old stretch four who led his Wisconsin Badgers to an NCAA Final Four appearance in 2015 and earned National College Player of the Year honors.

Using his highly-successful senior season as a means of catapulting himself high into the NBA lottery, the became the ninth overall selection to the Charlotte Hornets in the 2015 NBA draft ahead of his now teammates Devin Booker (13th) and Kelly Oubre Jr (13th).

Unfortunately, his college success has since failed to translate into real success in the NBA as he has only managed to average 9.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game through his four-year pro career.

Though not the potential star player Charlotte hoped they had selected following a 33-49 season, Kaminsky is no bum. He has been a very solid play off the bench and will bring along some good floor spacing options to any team.

The Phoenix Suns will likely rely on him to pair alongside their other bench options to create some very dynamic lineups for head coach Monty Williams. I do not expect his stats to blow us away in Phoenix, but his on the court presence should be a major help to the team.

Kaminsky does still have some pretty good upside as an outside shooter that the Suns will be looking to get out of him, but even if he never reaches his lottery-status potential, I’d expect him to play a very nice role for the depth of this young Phoenix team.

He fits well with the type of player that we’ve seen Jones bring in this offseason and will serve as a veteran presence and a good staple of the community in Phoenix.

He’s a lovable guy and a good locker room presence with some experience at the top, even if only in college.

Next. Monty Williams doesn't even have to make the playoffs to win the NBA's Coach of the Year award. dark

With the Suns, Kaminsky gets a change of scenery and is looked at as an all upside signing with little to no risk to the team’s future plans. It will be very interesting to see if he can take advantage of it.

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