#9 Charlotte Hornets: Frank Kaminsky

The Charlotte Hornets used the ninth overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft to select talented forward Frank Kaminsky from the University of Wisconsin. Outside of Karl-Anthony Towns (selected No. 1 overall) and Jahlil Okafor (selected No. 3 overall), Kaminsky was arguably the best big man in the draft.

The Hornets have been busy since the season ended, trading forward Lance Stephenson to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Spencer Hawes, dealing for Nicolas Batum from Portland and securing Jeremy Lamb from Oklahoma City. The team was also informed by talented big man Al Jefferson that he was opting in to the final year of his contract instead of testing free agency.

The addition of Batum, Hawes, Lamb and the selection of Kaminsky add much more perimeter firepower to Charlotte’s lineup. The Hornets’ offense struggled to consistently stretch opposing defenses throughout last season and the team surprisingly missed the playoffs. All four of the new additions can hit the perimeter jumper, which in turn will open up the paint for Jefferson on the interior.

Kaminsky, a consensus first team All-American this past season, averaged 18.8 points and 8.2 rebounds on 55 percent shooting as a senior, leading Wisconsin to the National Championship game.

The Hornets envision Kaminsky as a stretch-four in their rotation. Kaminsky spoke at length about making a transition to this exact role at the pro level.

“[I’m] turning myself into a four,” Kaminsky said at a Santa Barbara workout in front of NBA executives before the draft.

“In college, I played the five for so long.  I know I can play the four. I just have to pick up the nuances,” he continued.  “The NBA values big guys that can stretch the floor.”

Kaminsky projects to see immediate playing time as a rookie.