Hornets draft Frank Kaminsky 9th overall

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The Charlotte Hornets selected Wisconsin center Frank Kaminsky with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft on Thursday night.

The Hornets were said to be locked in on Kaminsky prior to the draft, but with Justise Winslow unexpectedly sliding, the Hornets reportedly received multiple offers for the ninth pick. Winslow himself wasn't a fit for Charlotte after they acquired Nicolas Batum from the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.

Still, it's a major positive for the Hornets, who saw an obvious and NBA-ready talent fall into their lap at No. 9. Kaminsky isn't going to set the league afire like he did as a college senior, when he averaged 18.8 points and 8.2 rebounds, but he should at least be a productive scoring option.

Kaminsky also gives the Hornets a prospect to replace Noah Vonleh, who was shipped out in the Batum trade. Kaminsky doesn't have as much upside, but they share a similar skillset with the ability to shoot from the frontcourt.

Seven-footers who can shoot threes are incredibly rare commodities. Kaminsky does enough other things well - he's a solid passer, has a nice touch, strong footwork inside, and can help defend the rim from the weak side - that he seems a safe bet to be a rotation player for years. Drafting seniors isn't a sexy strategy, but the Hornets eschew ceiling for floor, a fair trade-off.

You can read more about Kaminsky in our scouting report.