Hornets’ Ryan Kalkbrenner Earns Feedback After Summer League
· Yahoo Sports
Charlotte Hornets center Ryan Kalkbrenner is entering his second season in the NBA and appeared in Summer League for the team.
Kalkbrenner will be a key rotational big for the Hornets in the 2026-27 season after a solid rookie campaign.
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"Another guy who's protecting the rim, adjusting between coverages pretty, pretty frequently," Hornets Summer League coach Blaine Mueller said. "Obviously, want to see him around the rim with more force. I think we've seen that, too. Had a couple finishes in traffic and-ones. Stuff where he's a little bit more physical, a little bit more on balance, understanding what he needs to do around the rim when he's in traffic."
The 24-year-old big man has some room to improve, but he was a quality player in his rookie year. He averaged 7.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game, shooting 75.3 percent from the field.
Kalkbrenner will be battling with newly acquired big Naz Reid, as well as Moussa Diabaté and rookie Hannes Steinbach, for minutes at center.
Bob DeChiara-Imagn ImagesReid will likely start at power forward for the Hornets, which means Kalkbrenner could play alongside him. Reid's ability to space the floor makes this frontcourt fit easier, as he averaged 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, a steal, and a block per game, shooting 45.6 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from three.
Diabaté will also be competing for the starting spot against Kalkbrenner and is coming off a good year, averaging 7.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and a block per game while shooting 63.1 percent from the floor. It will be a challenge for Kalkbrenner to beat out Diabaté for the starting spot.
In Summer League, Kalkbrenner improved as a playmaker and shot blocker, but saw his efficiency drop, as he averaged 5.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, three assists, and 3.7 blocks per game, shooting 57.1 percent from the floor.
His improvement as a playmaker could be pivotal as the Hornets traded away their lead guard, LaMelo Ball, to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Charlotte will need an all-around effort in the playmaking department.
However, Kalkbrenner needs to finish at the rim more efficiently, as his best tool on offense is catching lobs and getting putbacks.
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