Jazz prospect watch: Frank Kaminsky


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SALT LAKE CITY — With Tuesday’s draft lottery finished and the Jazz remaining at the 12th slot in June’s upcoming draft as expected, the focus turns to their options. There are a number of intriguing prospects expected to be available in their range, and there’s also plenty of talk of the possibility of trading the selection as part of a package for a more developed veteran to aid the team’s win-now goal for next season.

Trades are tougher to make than not make, however, as the adage goes. And should the Jazz fail to find equal or better value for the pick, perhaps their best option if available would be Wisconsin center and reigning National Player of the Year Frank Kaminsky.

In the latter half of a four-year college career, Kaminsky showcased a unique skill set that could make him among the more immediately impactful players available in the class. Similar to burgeoning NBA superstar Anthony Davis (though to a different degree of course), Kaminsky played guard for many of his formative years before a growth spurt to 7-foot status, but managed to retain several typically “smaller” skills. He’s an excellent passer with smart instincts, can handle the ball well, and is a smooth and confident offensive player in every respect.

Kaminsky info
Frank Kaminsky
PositionHeightSchoolAge
F/C7-0Wisconsin22
PPGRPGAPGPER
18.88.22.634.4

Most importantly, Kaminsky can shoot. He drained nearly 42 percent of his 3-point attempts last season at Wisconsin, up from a still-robust 38 percent the season prior. His raw shooting skills have continued to wow scouts and draft experts in pre-draft workouts.

The fit here for the Jazz would be excellent. Distance shooting is a well-known need for the team after a below-average season in what’s becoming one of the most vital areas in the league, with several rotation players on the perimeter who aren’t major threats at this point. Adding a big man with Kaminsky’s touch would open up a whole new avenue of possibilities for coach Quin Snyder — and not just based on Kaminsky’s own offense from beyond the 3-point line.

He’d get his share of looks, to be sure. Because he’s so tall and easily capable of shooting over smaller defenders, opponents would be forced to guard him with a big man of their own, and this creates problems all over the place. Most guys that size aren’t as well-equipped to chase a shooter around the perimeter, with slower foot speed and years of conditioning to stay closer to the basket defensively.

Just as vital would be the schematic changes that would go into effect the moment he stepped on the floor. Kaminsky spotting up outside means one less 7-footer in or near the paint, which opens up a whole new world for Jazz perimeter slashers like Gordon Hayward or Alec Burks, who will have one less huge obstacle impeding their path to the hoop for easy baskets. If Kaminsky’s man abandons him to help out, he risks a wide open triple for a knockdown shooter. This “gravity” is huge and shouldn’t be understated in today’s NBA. Kaminsky’s mere presence and how it would affect the rest of the offense might trump his own individual value.

There are questions about Kaminsky defensively, and justifiably so. He’s an average athlete at best, with a short wingspan for his size — just 6-foot-11 at May’s draft combine, a rare NBA prospect with a wingspan shorter than his height — and not a ton of bulk to match up with bigger guys in the post.

But he’s still a 7-foot body, and it’s important to remember that he’d spend most of his time alongside either Rudy Gobert or Derrick Favors, both excellent defenders who could take the tougher assignment down low. Prospects in Utah’s late lottery range will almost always have a flaw here or there, but covering a defensive imperfection with the imposing frontcourt already in place is very doable.

The larger concern for some is Kaminsky’s age (22), and whether he’s closer to his peak and will be lapped by his younger counterparts in the coming years. But it’s vital to remember the role he’d be drafted for; the Jazz won’t select Kaminsky expecting a future all-around star. He’d be a ready-now change of pace option for a Gobert-Favors starting frontcourt that gets clogged offensively at times, with the ball skills and intelligence to fit right in to Snyder’s motion offense. He could be leaned on in advantageous matchups and sheltered selectively away from situations where his limitations would hurt the group.

A run at the playoffs next season is a stated goal of the Jazz front office. Barring a readymade trade becoming available for a more established piece, Frank Kaminsky may be their best target at the 12th spot in the draft given the team’s needs and current goals.

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Ben Dowsett

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