The Charlotte Hornets appear to be all right, as they are currently 3-4. However, with Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball making early appearances on the injury report and their defense being poor so far, it looks like their season can go downhill fast. Fortunately, there are many reasons to be optimistic about the Hornets' outlook, including the emergence of Ryan Kalkbrenner and Sion James.
The rookies have been playing better than expected, incredibly outperforming their draft positions. Interestingly, both made Bleacher Report's list of 2025 NBA Draft steals, and it's tough to argue against their inclusion for the value they have provided to Charlotte.
Kalkbrenner starting since day one is already impressive in itself, but the fact that barely anyone bats an eyelash about it now has made it more remarkable. He quashed any doubt that he is a starting-caliber center, supplying the Hornets with an interior defender they had been unable to find in previous years.
The Creighton University product has also been a revelation on offense, displaying the ability to roll to his sweet spots and battle for offensive rebounds that result in second-chance points. In his first five games, he went 27-30 from the field for a whopping 90.0 percent. The past two contests saw him struggle to make shots, bringing his efficiency down to 81.1 percent, which still leads the league.
As for James, he has quickly developed into the 3-and-D player that is widely coveted around the league. Despite concerns about his shooting mechanics, he has sunk 1.9 3-pointers per match on 72.2 percent shooting. On defense, he has been sturdy at the point of attack while also displaying his capability to take on matchups who are taller and bigger than him.
Hornets have found their defensive leaders
Only time will tell how Charlotte's 2025-26 season develops, although ranking near the bottom in several defensive metrics can understandably make the organization and its fans uneasy. Without a respectable defense, opponents could have a field day against it, especially when its shots are not falling or its players struggle to execute on offense.
The ray of hope is that the Hornets already have a pair of rookies who can anchor their defense in the future. It's worth noting that Kalkbrenner is third in the league in average blocks (2.1 per game) while 1.3 steals per contest is tied for ninth place among centers. Meanwhile, James does not have similarly outstanding counting stats, but his defensive IQ, motor, and passion definitely pass the eye test.
What has been admirable about the duo is that they understand how important it is for the Hornets to get stops, and they don't appear too thrilled about putting out strong individual performances in losses. It has likely helped that both of them played five years in college, so they seem more mature than many of their draft classmates.
While Charlotte's defense may be its Achilles' heel for now and in the coming months, that may not be the case for long, as long as the franchise is able to foster an environment where Kalk and Sion can flourish and reach their potential.