The Kings parted ways with their longest-tenured player this summer, and his replacement should be an upgrade across the board.
Four years after he was drafted by the Sacramento Kings with the 6th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, big man Willie Cauley-Stein signed a one-year free-agent contract with the Golden State Warriors this offseason.
The move marked the end of a tumultuous career in Sacramento for Cauley-Stein. When he was drafted, he was viewed by fans and the organization as a freakishly athletic defender with long limbs who could run the floor like a gazelle. He would fit well on the roster, whether it was alongside budding star DeMarcus Cousins or as his backup.
He never lived up to the expectations that surrounded him when he came in to the league. His dedicated interest in non-basketball activities had fans, and eventually the front office, questioning his devotion to the game. Cauley-Stein’s contract had expired and both parties were ready to move on.
To replace Cauley-Stein and bolster their already-promising frontcourt, the Kings went out and signed free-agent center Dewayne Dedmon to a 3-year contract. Given Dedmon’s status as a relatively unknown commodity, the acquisition was immediately met with questions and skepticism.
But there are a handful of reasons why Dewayne Dedmon will be an upgrade over Willie Cauley-Stein, through both his personal production and how he fits Sacramento’s style and game plan.