Ryan Kalkbrenner’s got a pretty unique skill set for a “stretch five.” He combines top-notch rim protection, the ability to finish around the basket, and he’s even expanding his range out to the three-point line. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 19.2 points on an impressive 65.3% shooting, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game.
Plus, he knocked down 34.4% of his three-pointers, showing he’s not just a big body in the paint, but also developing a strong outside game. Below, I’ve paired each team’s pick with a solid reason why Kalkbrenner would be a great addition, playing alongside their stars and fitting into their coaching style.
Minnesota Timberwolves
As the 2025 draft approaches, Minnesota has gained exclusive ownership over Detroit’s first selection at position 17, which they will leverage to strengthen their backup center position behind Rudy Gobert. The Wolves require an effective backup center to substitute for Rudy Gobert during his rest periods after extending his contract to three years for $110 million.
Kalkbrenner brings his 7-foot wingspan and 2.7 blocks per game to defend the rim effectively while his improved 3-point shot spreads the floor when playing with Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and others. His ability to execute the pick-and-pop aligns perfectly with Chris Finch’s motion offense system when he enters the game as backup center.
Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte’s young core features are Mark Williams and Nick Richards, but the Hornets still lack a proven scoring and spacing option at center. Richards averaged 9.7 points on 69.1% shooting with 8.0 boards in 2023-24, yet offered little beyond the paint.
Kalkbrenner, by contrast, stretches defenses with a 34.4% three-point stroke and runs the floor in transition, giving coach Steve Clifford more schematic flexibility. His high-IQ play and proven rim-running athleticism would also accelerate Charlotte’s development timeline without sacrificing floor spacing for LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.\
Atlanta Hawks
Under Quin Snyder, Atlanta has prioritized defensive versatility and interior toughness—areas in which the Hawks have fallen short behind Onyeka Okongwu. With the 22nd pick, they could pair Kalkbrenner alongside Okongwu to form one of the league’s most switchable big-man tandems, bolstering help-side defense and drop-coverage rim protection.
Offensively, his pick-and-roll chemistry and floor spacing would unlock more driving lanes for Trae Young and De’Andre Hunter, while providing a lob threat when shooters are doubled.
Utah Jazz
Utah holds the 43rd pick via Dallas and carries a defensive-first identity under coach Will Hardy. Even with Walker Kessler as their starter, the Jazz could use a seasoned backup who excels in drop coverage and doesn’t compromise spacing.
Kalkbrenner’s polished post defense, combined with his 34.4% accuracy from deep, aligns perfectly with Utah’s conservative offensive sets, giving them a low-risk, high-floor option to maintain pace and protect the paint when Kessler sits.
Phoenix Suns
Behind veteran bigs Jusuf Nurkić and Deandre Ayton, Phoenix ranked outside the top 20 in bench rim protection and three-point spacing. With their late-first-round pick acquired from Cleveland, the Suns could draft Kalkbrenner to bring an immediate two-way boost.
His floor-spacing complements Phoenix’s pick-and-pop ethos, while his shot-blocking fortifies Monty Williams’s defensive principles.
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As a mobile, high-IQ center, he’d also help groom younger frontcourt pieces like Bol Bol and Keita Bates-Diop in rotational minutes.
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