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Golden State Warriors: Breaking down the Willie Cauley-Stein signing

By Justin Fried

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 11: Willie Cauley-Stein #00 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket against Bobby Portis #5 of the Washington Wizards in the first half at Capital One Arena on March 11, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 11: Willie Cauley-Stein #00 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket against Bobby Portis #5 of the Washington Wizards in the first half at Capital One Arena on March 11, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors added former Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein in a low-cost move that will give them team extra depth with their bigs.

The Golden State Warriors continued their busy offseason on Tuesday by inking former Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein to what’s expected to be a bargain of a deal.

ESPN’s Zach Lowe has reported that Cauley-Stein is expected to sign a contract for “slightly above the [league] minimum salary” which should be considered quite the steal for a player with his natural talent.

Cauley-Stein’s tenure with the Kings didn’t go quite as well as either side had hoped. After four years in Sacramento, the Kings opted to move on from the 2015 sixth overall draft pick and sign former Atlanta Hawks big man Dewayne Dedmon this offseason in his place.

But at 25-years-old, Cauley-Stein still has plenty to offer.

He is a natural athlete who excels as a rim-runner and as a lob threat. His passing is above-average for a player of his size and his ability to defend switches is not something that should be understated.

At times, Cauley-Stein was everything that the Kings had hoped he would be. Unfortunately, there were also plenty of times where he would become invisible or make bone-headed mistakes that would cost his team.

“Inconsistent” is a description that has followed Cauley-Stein throughout his NBA career. Some have questioned his work ethic and motor while others have called criticism towards his basketball IQ.

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In many ways, his skill set is reminiscent of a young JaVale McGee. Cauley-Stein is an athletic specimen who can show flashes of greatness but falls victim to his own mental lapses.

However, McGee is likely a significantly better rebounder than his younger peer. Cauley-Stein has averaged just 6.4 rebounds per game over his four-year career with his highest mark coming last season when he averaged 8.4 per game.

Some of that could be due to the lackluster effort he displayed at times on the court because, on paper, his size and athleticism project him as a plus rebounder.

Despite all of his struggles, however, it’s hard to look at this as anything other than a huge bonus for the Warriors. Golden State was looking very thin with their center depth with Kevon Looney and Damian Jones being the only true centers on the roster.

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While Looney has played and will continue to play substantial minutes, Jones remains unproven. And if his performances last year and thus far in the summer league are anything to go off of, he just doesn’t look ready for an increased role.

Cauley-Stein should step in and immediately play meaningful minutes alongside Looney at the five. If the Warriors prefer that Looney continues to come off the bench, Cauley-Stein could easily assume the starting role as he did in Sacramento.

If not, Cauley-Stein would be an excellent backup center to come off the bench and play with the second unit. Either way, a player of his talent is worth significantly more than “slightly above the minimum salary.”

And even with the work ethic concerns, the hope could be that a player like Draymond Green could bring the best out of Cauley-Stein. Green is a proven mentor and motivator and perhaps he could unlock some of Cauley-Stein’s potential that has yet to be unleashed.

For a Warriors team that was desperately in need of depth, this is an excellent signing of a once highly-touted player who should give the team just what they’re looking for.

Next. Golden State Warriors: Re-signing Kevon Looney is the underrated move of the offseason. dark

Cauley-Stein may have been run out of town by one NorCal organization, but his new team will undoubtedly welcome him with open arms.

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