The Suns are set to bring back free agent center Frank Kaminsky, his agency Priority Sports tweets. According to Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports (Twitter link), it’ll be a training camp deal.
Exact terms of the agreement have yet to be divulged, but it is likely to at least have Exhibit 9 and potentially Exhibit 10 language.
The seven-foot Wisconsin alum, a former 2015 lottery pick, enjoyed an eight-year NBA run before heading overseas in 2023/24.
Kaminsky suited up for the Hornets from 2015-19 before signing with the Suns as a free agent in 2019-20. He logged three seasons with Phoenix.
Across 95 contests with the Suns (26 starts), the former All-American First Teamer recorded averages of 8.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 dimes, with a shooting line of .468/.344/.682.
Kaminsky split his final (for now) NBA season in 2022/23 between the Hawks and Rockets. He was a deep-bench reserve during his tenures with Atlanta and Houston, averaging just 2.5 PPG, 1.4 RPG, and 0.8 APG in 36 total games.
The 31-year-old spent 2023/24 with Serbian club Partizan Belgrade.
The Suns have one opening on their 15-man standard roster, so if Kaminsky does impress he could earn an opportunity, though the team may want to leave that spot open for financial reasons, given its sizable projected tax bill.
Sporting longtime All-Stars Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, Phoenix finished with a 49-33 record last year, but was obliterated by the Timberwolves in a first-round playoff sweep. Team president James Jones responded by firing head coach Frank Vogel and his staff after just one season, replacing him with former Bucks champion head coach Mike Budenholzer. The Suns also brought in point guard Tyus Jones on a steal of a veteran’s minimum deal. He is expected to start, which will likely push starting small forward Grayson Allen to the bench.
Phoenix could use a player with Kaminsky’s sharpshooting range to back up starting center Jusuf Nurkic and his newly signed backup, Mason Plumlee. It remains to be seen whether or not Kaminsky’s defensive shortcomings (and tax concerns) may disincentivize the Suns from bringing him back.
If the Suns are dumb enough to bring Grayson Allen off the Bench it won’t be for long. With that lineup his defense and outside spot-up shooting need prime minutes.
Bradley Beal needs to be the guy playing with the second unit but is his ego going to get in the way from the Suns playing the best combinations possible? That could be. Not every star is willing to sacrifice no bench role.
The Suns need to figure out how to turn both Allen and Booker into one real NBA PG, and one other star big or wing. Booker is obviously great and tradeable, as is the improved Allen. Beal is stuck there with zero trade value and he has to play his way out of it and KD says he’s staying put. What a terribly-constructed team, to be honest. Beal and Booker were never going to work together and now you have Allen also proving to be a decent starter, that’s 3 guys who all play 1 spot. Suns should do a quick in-season rebuild by flipping both Allen and Booker into other stars who are a better fit with KD and Beal.
They need to just tell Beal: you’re coming off the bench. Run Tyus, Book, KD, Royce, Nurk
Royce would be another great candidate to start. Excellent defense and spot-up shooting.
Tyus Jones is the one who doesn’t fit as a starter
Why?
Guys, some respect please.
This post is all about Frank The Tank.