A Royal Pain
Fansided

Sacramento Kings: Addressing The Willie Cauley-Stein Situation

By John Kelly

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 4: Willie Cauley-Stein #00 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 4, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 4: Willie Cauley-Stein #00 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 4, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – APRIL 10: Willie Cauley-Stein #00 of the Sacramento Kings dunks against the Portland Trail Blazers on April 10, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – APRIL 10: Willie Cauley-Stein #00 of the Sacramento Kings dunks against the Portland Trail Blazers on April 10, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) /

How Willie Fits With The Kings?

In recent history, there is no player that has divided Kings fans more than Cauley-Stein. One group feels that Willie is unfairly picked on while the other camp says the Kings need to let him walk as he has reached his maximum potential.

Let us look at the plus side of Willie for the Kings. He is a high-IQ player who is a great teammate. He also runs the floor very well with Fox and company and is a willing and accurate distributor as well.

Defensively, Willie can switch on to smaller players without getting burned. This is how the Kings play defense. Switching on opponents and staying in front of the ball.  Positionless basketball at its finest.

Overall, Cauley-Stein is an athletic player with great footwork that allows him to operate around the basket. He has improved every single year he has been in the NBA.  But can he improve his defense is the big question for Sacramento?

Breaking Down Willie’s Faults

I have said many times. “The Kings need Willie to be a 10-and-10 player”  Ten points and ten rebounds per game on average.

In college, Willie was the second highest shot blocker at the University of Kentucky with 233 shots blocked. He also averaged 6.2 rebounds a contest as well during his three years in college.

Last time I checked, Kentucky has had a few good centers make the NBA, and Willie can join that list eventually. The whole NBA knows Willie has the potential, but some doubt he wants to do it. That is why he gets beat up on social media for every bad game.

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