Draft day never fails to surprise.
According to ESPN’s Chad Ford, former Wisconsin star Frank Kaminsky, long projected as a late lottery selection, is being considered with three separate top-10 picks.
2. Frank the Tank is on fire. Phil Jackson loves him. So does Vlade Divac. Michael Jordan won't pass on him at 9. 4-9 his new range.
— NBA Big Board (@chadfordinsider) June 25, 2015
It’s no secret that the New York Knicks are enamored with Kaminsky. Though it was reported earlier this week that he’s a favorite of Phil Jackson’s, conventional wisdom said the ‘Bockers would trade back from No. 4 before ultimately selecting him. If rumors of Kaminsky’s late-game rise are true, though, New York might not have that chance.
Would the sweet-shooting big man be a good fit for the Sacramento Kings? If Vlade Divac and company somehow manage to weather the storm and keep DeMarcus Cousins, he’d prove a boon for Sacramento’s offense. However, not only are the Kings’ current circumstances extremely tenuous, but sixth overall still seems too high for a prospect of Kaminsky’s solid yet unspectacular caliber.
Would the No. 9 choice make more sense for the reigning college Player of the Year? Certainly. The Charlotte Hornets just unloaded Noah Vonleh in the Nicolas Batum trade, and Kaminsky would provide much-needed spacing around Al Jefferson post-ups and Kemba Walker ball-screens. Depending who else is on the board when Michael Jordan’s team is selecting, though, ninth might still be a bit rich for Kaminsky.
Teams selecting in the lottery should always be thinking big-picture. Positional or stylistic need should never trump the prospect of ultimate payoff for losing franchises, and using a top-10 choice on Kaminsky would amount to such an error. He’ll have a place in the league for a long time, but will it ever be as anything more than a third big man? In the right situation, the Illinois native could prove extremely valuable.
Whether or not carrying the burden of a prized draft position for the Knicks, Kings, or Hornets would qualify as such for Kaminsky is another story entirely.
[Via Chad Ford]
