A trade candidate at this month’s deadline, Frank Kaminsky stayed put in Charlotte. Now, he’s hoping that he and the Hornets can work out an agreement on a buyout, but those efforts have stalled, according to Sean Deveney of Sporting News. According to Deveney, a source described Kaminsky as “very frustrated” with the situation.
[RELATED: 2019 NBA Buyout Market Watch]
The ninth overall pick in the 2015 draft, Kaminsky played a regular role in Charlotte’s rotation over the last two seasons, averaging 11.3 PPG and 4.1 RPG on .413/.350/.780 shooting during that two-year stretch. In 2018/19, however, he has been limited to 26 games and a career-low 10.8 MPG, and hasn’t played more than 10 minutes in a game since January 2.
According to Deveney, Kaminsky generated some interest at the trade deadline, but the Hornets passed on all offers. The 25-year-old was under the impression that Charlotte would be willing to negotiate a buyout and give him a chance to play more regularly somewhere else, but the team is somewhat nervous about its frontcourt depth, Deveney writes.
With Cody Zeller, Bismack Biyombo, and Willy Hernangomez up front, the Hornets seem to be well stocked at center, but Hernangomez has also fallen out of the rotation lately and there are some concerns about Biyombo’s knee holding up for the rest of the season, sources tell Deveney. Having Kaminsky on the roster gives the Hornets a strong insurance policy in case he’s needed.
While Kaminsky may be frustrated by his current role – or lack thereof – in Charlotte, he should soon have the opportunity to seek out a new NBA home even if he’s not bought out this season. He’s eligible for restricted free agency this summer, but the Hornets currently seem unlikely to tender him the $4.5MM qualifying offer necessary to make him an RFA. If the club passes on that QO, Kaminsky would become an unrestricted free agent.
To think Boston offered 4 1st rd picks for the pick Charlotte used on Kaminsky. Charlotte could’ve had Tatum and Booker along with Kemba
As a Hornets fan, that bothers me almost as much as missing out on the AD lottery after the worst winning percentage in NBA history. Still, let’s be honest, Cho and Jordan would’ve found a way to mess up those picks.
Was a Herschel Walker trade.
He’d look good in a Celtics uniform
He’s basically Ryan Anderson only he can’t shoot.
Utah would be nice.
Come to Toronto please
Could find his way onto the Sixers if they make a roster move.
“we” as a fan base truly know how to embrace the Tank.
I believe this dude if he got decent mins would be a decent player.
He did.. N he was only decent. Not a plus is any category. Just decent at enough across the board, not much of a rebounder.
That’s why he’s riding pine behind actual pros.
Jhalil Okafor, however, I’m on board with the enigma of teams(PHI/BRK) not using him.. been amazing in AD’s place.. once again, not a good defender or shooter, but is a good rebounder and arguably elite post presence.