Charlotte’s offseason wasn’t only about guards. The center rotation has undergone a major reshaping, with Mason Plumlee returning to the Hornets alongside young big men Ryan Kalkbrenner and Moussa Diabate.
Plumlee, a respected veteran, is expected to set the tone for the group:
“You get a veteran in Plumlee who’s been around the league, has a ton of experience… He’s going to be able to give a lot of corporate knowledge of the NBA… even however many years he’s been in the league now, he understands and has a growth mindset, which is really important,” head coach Charles Lee said.
Lee also praised the development of Moussa Diabate and expressed excitement about Kalkbrenner’s two-way potential:
“Moussa… is one of our great success stories from a player development standpoint… And we saw what Ryan brings in Summer League… I see a lot of Brook Lopez in him.”
With these three, the Hornets can mix and match styles – using Plumlee’s passing and experience, Diabate’s energy and mobility, and Kalkbrenner’s rim protection and shooting touch.
In a league where matchups dictate rotations, Charlotte now has a toolbox full of different options at the five.
Charles Lee Talks Hornets Offseason https://t.co/S9eVrSMk82 pic.twitter.com/6zBVy1JxcO
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) August 15, 2025
