There's no question that Dylan Cardwell was one of the surprise breakout rookies of the 2025-2026 season. His defensive prowess is incredible, to say the least. That doesn't mean there isn't work to do. Cardwell has to expand his offensive repertoire to fulfill his potential and lead the Kings to relevancy.
While everyone who watches the NBA likely knows Cardwell's story, it's one worth repeating. He went from undrafted in June 2025 to a two-way contract with the Kings to a full contract with Sacramento by the trade deadline in February 2026. It was an impressive rise for the young center.
He pulled this off thanks to two major factors. First, Cardwell is an absolute beast on defense, quickly becoming the rim protector the Kings have long needed. Sure, they have an All-Star double-double machine at the five in Domantas Sabonis. Defense has never been one of his strong suits, though.
The second factor is Cardwell's indomitable will. Fans have connected to him through the joy, professionalism, and modesty he brings to the court. Cardwell will put on a show for the Golden 1 Center fans, but he's also the level-headed leader this team needs in the locker room.
Cardwell cannot rest on his season one laurels
Yes, Cardwell's first round as a King was an unqualified success, but that's just the beginning. While defense is his bread and butter, there's some work to do on the offensive end of the court. Cardwell is quite the lob threat and throws down a mean dunk. There's more to it than that.
What the young big man needs first and foremost is to work on his shooting. No one should be looking for him to start nailing three-pointers, but a reliable mid-range shot would make him a bigger offensive component. It would also help space the floor for his teammates to find their range.
On top of that, Cardwell has to develop his skills as a facilitator. Last season, he averaged 7.5 rebounds per game, 3.3 of which were offensive, but he was only averaging 1.4 assists per game. There's room for him to become a better passer, and get the offense humming.
That's what's great about Cardwell. He has the skill, potential, and mindset to do all of this and more. When the Kings have the opportunity, they need to double down on him and make him the cornerstone of what they are building. Cardwell has what it takes to be a big name in the NBA.
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