Phoenix Suns Scheduled to Reevaluate Frank Kaminsky this Week

It might feel difficult to remember at this point, especially with win streaks, COVID-19 protocols, and trades all taking up significant pages in the 2021-22 season’s storybook, but before all that, Frank Kaminsky was bulldozing opponents left and right for the Phoenix Suns.

With Deandre Ayton missing some time earlier this year, Kaminsky stepped up to the plate and cracked a grand slam (probably the only one we’ll see this year, thanks a lot Rob Manfred). His best game came against the Portland Trail Blazers, where he dropped a career-high 31 points while shooting 66.7 percent from the field.

But alas, his Wisconsin-like play only lasted for a nine-game stretch, with the former Wooden Award winner suffering a stress reaction in his right knee in mid-November. As a result, Kaminsky has not suited up for the Suns in 110 days.

But sooner rather than later, Phoenix fans should get some sort of an update on him.

To be clear, the Suns have not announced anything about Kaminsky this week. However, the team did say they would reevaluate Kaminsky in eight weeks on January 7th. Today, March 4th, is exactly eight weeks from that date.

During that monster stretch prior to his injury, Kaminsky averaged 10.6 points per game, his most since the 2017-18 season. He also averaged 4.6 rebounds and shot 54.5 percent from the field—both being career highs.

No matter how you cut it, Kaminsky represents a solid asset with plenty of tools able to help the Suns on their quest for an NBA title.

Instead, how Kaminsky will fit with the team is a more relevant question regarding his potential return. Phoenix did such a good job in replacing Kaminsky’s production over the past few months that minutes might now be difficult for him to come by.

Although JaVale McGee struggled out of the All-Star break, he looked fantastic against the Blazers the other night. Bismack Biyombo still resembles an easily pluggable piece to run Phoenix’s pick-and-roll game with, and the team also just traded for small-ball center Torrey Craig. All of that behind a fringe All-Star in Deandre Ayton has the Suns looking deeper than the Mariana Trench at the five spot.

Monty Williams will have his work cut out for him in dividing up minutes should things go well at this check-up for Kaminsky. He should be familiar with this kind of task though, having coached what’s likely been the league’s deepest team across the board for a second consecutive year now.

But regardless, Suns fans would be wise to keep their eyes peeled for a Tank emerging out on the horizon. If anything, Kaminsky’s locker room presence and the hype built around him as a fan-favorite player should add to the team’s morale in what has already been a fun season to begin with.