With the absence of a player capable of starting at center, the Charlotte Hornets might have to consider bestowing that role on Ryan Kalkbrenner. The question is whether the rookie is ready to take on the challenge. History may not be on his side, though.
According to Sam Vecenie of the "Game Theory Podcast," there are no starting centers in the NBA right now who played for more than two years in the NCAA or overseas before being drafted. Kalkbrenner spent five seasons with Creighton University, even being older than 2023 draftees Brandon Miller and Nick Smith Jr.
Maybe the 23-year-old big man can buck the trend, although that doesn't exactly sound like good news for the Hornets.
Ryan Kalkbrenner doesn't look like a starting-caliber player yet
Sure, he can at least be a respectable interior defender, as evidenced by his four consecutive Big East Defensive Player of the Year awards. The last person to achieve the feat was the legendary Patrick Ewing. Kalkbrenner also has the potential to be an inside-out low-volume scorer, as he can pound the ball inside and shoot the ball from downtown. Moreover, some folks have highly rated him as a connector on offense, having shown a knack for setting solid screens and making the necessary pass when he has possession of the rock.
Kalkbrenner's winning mentality should also work in his favor, especially since he has expressed a willingness to do "all the little things" and accept whatever role the coaching staff assigns him.
Unfortunately, he just has several major weaknesses that can impact the play of his potential fellow starters. For instance, his rebounding needs plenty of work, as he remained underwhelming in that area during Summer League. The former Bluejays standout also lacks the agility to keep up with quicker opponents on defense. Opposing teams could exploit that vulnerability, especially because none of those projected to be in the starting lineup is expected to be a lockdown perimeter defender.
So, based on what we've seen from him so far and on Vecenie's observation, Kalkbrenner might be nothing more than a backup big man.
For now, it's looking like the starting job is Moussa Diabate's to lose. The Frenchman is a much better rebounder and perimeter defender than the rookie, although he is still pretty limited offensively. Mason Plumlee can swoop in with an impressive showing at training camp, but would it be wise for the Hornets to withhold that opportunity from a younger player in favor of a 35-year-old guy that some of their fans don't even want on the team?
Charlotte has quite a dilemma in its hands, and the resolution might be up to Kalkbrenner defying the odds.