Coach Steve Clifford (hernia) said Tuesday that Vonleh could enter the rotation by mid-season, Steve Clifford of the Charlotte Observer reports.

Coach Steve Clifford (hernia) said Tuesday that Vonleh could enter the rotation by mid-season, Steve Clifford of the Charlotte Observer reports.

Analysis:

A sports hernia has sidelined Vonleh since the beginning of camp, and the implication from Clifford is that Vonleh will be far behind in learning the system by the time he returns to practice, which should be soon. The lottery pick out of Indiana is a fairly raw prospect, regardless, and it's unlikely he would have played a major role to begin the season even if he was healthy. Once he's adapted to the pace of the NBA game later in the season, Vonleh figures to slide into the frontcourt rotation as a backup to Al Jefferson, Marvin Williams and Cody Zeller. Defensively, he's a work in progress, but Vonleh is an excellent rebounder who can step out and shoot the three.