PHOENIX SUNS

Reports: Suns decline team options on bigs Frank Kaminsky, Cheick Diallo

Nov 19, 2020, 3:09 PM | Updated: 4:06 pm

Frank Kaminsky (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)...

Frank Kaminsky (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

The Phoenix Suns have reportedly declined the $5.2 million team option for center/power forward Frank Kaminsky, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Additionally, backup big man Cheick Diallo’s team option that would have paid out $1.8 million was not picked up, reports HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

The 27-year-old Kaminsky becomes an unrestricted free agent after just one season with the club where he averaged 9.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.

The move to let Kaminsky walk comes after the team reportedly tendered qualifying offers to restricted free agents Dario Saric and Jevon Carter on Thursday, according to NBA Insider Keith Smith.

Phoenix also drafted 6-foot-10 Maryland power forward Jalen Smith 10th overall on Wednesday night, coming to the Valley after averaging 15.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game last season. Smith and center Deandre Ayton are the only big men under contract for the 2020-21 season heading into free agency with Saric (restricted) and backup center Aron Baynes (unrestricted) entering free agency.

After signing with the club as a free agent last summer, Kaminsky aided a Suns team that turned the corner in 2019-2020 with a 34-39 record and an 8-0 mark in the bubble when the season resumed.

Kaminsky spent four seasons with the Charlotte Hornets prior to joining the Suns, averaging 9.8 points, four rebounds and 1.6 assists.

Diallo, 24, averaged 4.7 points and 2.8 rebounds in 10.2 minutes per game with 47 appearances and two starts in 2019-20. He shot 64.8% from the field.

Phoenix Suns

Suns...

Kellan Olson

Suns embrace experimenting in preseason win over Lakers

The Phoenix Suns experimented with lineups and got good depth contributions in a preseason win over the Lakers.

2 days ago

Lakers LeBron James Bronny James...

Aaron Schmidt

Lakers’ LeBron James plays alongside son Bronny vs. Suns

Los Angeles Lakers PG Bronny James played alongside his father, Lebron James, in a preseason game against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.

2 days ago

Suns...

Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns preseason storylines to monitor: 3s, lineups, rookies

Hey, Phoenix Suns basketball is here! That's neat. The preseason begins on Sunday and there are a few things to watch out for before the real games begin.

3 days ago

Jusuf Nurkic...

Arizona Sports

Suns’ Jusuf Nurkic dealing with finger injury, to be re-evaluated

Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic will be re-evaluated in a week for a left middle finger injury, the team said on Saturday.

3 days ago

LeBron James...

Associated Press

LeBron James expected to play preseason game vs. Suns, possible father-son debut with Bronny

Bronny James played in his first NBA preseason game Friday, while LeBron James is likely to play against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.

3 days ago

Damion Lee, Suns...

Kellan Olson

Suns’ Damion Lee is back after fearing a knee injury would end his career

Phoenix Suns guard Damion Lee is back after a rare surgery that he thought could potentially end his NBA career.

5 days ago

Reports: Suns decline team options on bigs Frank Kaminsky, Cheick Diallo