With the futures of Kristaps Porziņģis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet all uncertain, adding center depth will be a priority for the Boston Celtics this summer. The NBA Draft presents a perfect opportunity to add a high impact player on a cheap salary. Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner stands out as a clear target for the Celtics in the draft at either pick No. 28 or 32. Let’s dive into why Kalkbrenner’s skill set and fit with the Celtics.
Celtics Draft Targets: Decorated College Big Man Ryan Kalkbrenner Would be an Ideal Fit
Kalkbrenner’s College Career
Kalkbrenner had an illustrious five-year college career with the Creighton Blue Jays. The 7-foot-1 center was awarded the Big East’s Defensive Player of the Year four times, and made three All-Big-East teams. Notably, Creighton made the NCAA tournament in all five of Kalkbrenner’s seasons. For his college career, Kalkbrenner averaged 14.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 2.4 blocks while shooting 65.8 percent from the field. This was capped off by a stellar senior season where he averaged, 19.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.7 blocks while shooting 65.3 percent from the field.
Impressively, Kalkbrenner led the biggest in blocks for three consecutive seasons and field goal percentage for four straight years. It’s worth noting Kalkbrenner played with Boston’s 2024 first round pick Baylor Scheierman at Creighton, and their chemistry could be another compelling reason to draft him.
How Kalkbrenner Would Fit With the Celtics
Kalkbrenner’s biggest strength as a prospect is undoubtedly his elite rim protection and shot blocking. He uses his 7-foot-6 wingspan to swat shots at the rim. Kalkbrenner is a classic drop coverage big, capable of protecting the paint and deterring shots at the rim with his elite shot blocking. While Kalkbrenner is not someone who can switch on to every position, he has adequate mobility for his size. Kalkbrenner’s solid rebounding adds to his defensive impact.
Offensively, Kalkbrenner is an efficient lob threat and finisher. Having an easy source of offense at the rim would benefit the Celtics. Additionally, he is a good screener, which helps open up the game for himself and his teammates. The Celtics have seen the value of this type of center with Kornet, and Kalkbrenner would play a similar role on both ends of the floor.
Kalkbrenner has solid touch and passing abilities as well. He showed flashes of developing a jump shot, culminating in him shooting 34.4 percent in his final season with Creighton. Kalkbrenner’s athleticism and age (23) limit his upside. Nevertheless, with a more simplistic role in Boston, Kalkbrenner would thrive, and his skill set is clear. The flip side of his advanced age is that he can contribute immediately and has a high floor.
The Last Word
It’s highly unlikely the Celtics will retain all of Porziņģis, Horford, and Kornet. As a result, drafting another big man would be wise. Kalkbrenner has obvious similarities to Kornet on both ends of the floor. If Kornet leaves, Kalkbrenner would be an ideal replacement. Conversely, if he stays, the two can co-exist together and Kalkbrenner can learn from Kornet. While other centers within this range like Danny Wolf and Maxime Raynaud offer more offensive upside, they don’t offer the same defensive value or safety as Kalkbrenner. The value of a lob threat and rim protector has been clear in the Celtics’ system. Ultimately, Kalkbrenner should be one of the Celtics’ top targets in the NBA Draft.
Featured image: © Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images
