Sacramento Kings: Dewayne Dedmon Is A Big Upgrade Over Cauley-Stein

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 30: Willie Cauley-Stein #00 of the Sacramento Kings puts up a shot against Dewayne Dedmon #14 of the Atlanta Hawks on January 30, 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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Sacramento Kings Dewayne Dedmon (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Ability to stretch the floor

During his tenure with the Sacramento Kings, Willie Cauley-Stein wasn’t exactly a floor spacer. In 295 career games, he shot a total of just 18 three-pointers, making four of them for a 22.2% average. Just 18.7% of the shots he took were outside of ten feet, and he made those at just a 31.6% clip.

Dedmon’s perimeter numbers are far superior, thus is his ability to stretch the floor. Last season, over 50% of his field-goal attempts came from farther than 10 feet out, including 41% of his total attempts being three-pointers.

His percentages were great, too. His 38.2% average from beyond the arc was the second-best of any center behind Karl Anthony-Towns, and the 38th best overall for the entire league. He shot at a better clip from distance than the likes of CJ McCollum, Damian Lillard, and James Harden.

The Kings starting unit will benefit from this tremendously, especially given fellow big man Marvin Bagley’s ability to also be a floor spacer. The lane should be open for takeoff for wings and guards and especially the explosive De’Aaron Fox. Defenses will be forced to respect the perimeter abilities of the Kings frontcourt, which will allow the third-year point guard to be more aggressive and also provides him with reliable passing options.

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