Hornets exercise third-year option on Frank Kaminsky
The Charlotte Hornets announced the team will exercise its third-year option on forward/center Frank Kaminsky.
"We are excited to keep Frank Kaminsky as a part of our team's core," Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho said. "We have been very pleased with Frank's development both offensively and defensively. We look forward to what he will continue to contribute to our organization while evolving into an even better player."
Extending Kaminsky was no surprise for the Hornets. Charlotte picked him ninth overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, passing up on Justise Winslow and a trade offer of Celtics draft picks for him. The 23-year-old Wisconsin product enters his second NBA season after a solid rookie season (7.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 17.3 minutes per game). Although most third-year options are exercised, it is worth noting that the Hornets did not exercise P.J. Hairston's last year.
The Hornets saw flashes of Kaminsky's brilliance and versatility in its playoff series against the Miami Heat. After a rough start to the series, Kaminsky showed his motor on defense battling Hassan Whiteside, scored both outside the arc and attacking the rim, and used his size to exploit match-ups. A convincing preseason -- he was the only Hornet to score in double figures in every game -- showed he's picked up where he left off in April.
He's slated to fill the role of scoring big man off the bench with the departure of Al Jefferson. While Cody Zeller starts alongside Roy Hibbert in the frontcourt, the Tank could make a case for a starting role if Hibbert has to miss time while he deals with a knee injury.
Two major keys for the @hornets this season: The starting 5's health and big man Frank Kaminsky's Year 2 development pic.twitter.com/0xugRU2PfM
— FOX Sports Southeast (@HornetsOnFSSE) October 7, 2016
