After a great California Classic Summer League performance, there's no doubt that Dylan Cardwell is going to be a big star for the Sacramento Kings. Well, assuming he stops fouling so much. The same issue as the last season has popped up, and he needs to get them under control to succeed.
Cardwell is a prime example of how going undrafted is not the end of a player's NBA hopes and dreams. No one selected him in the 2025 NBA Draft, but he was signed to a two-way contract by the Kings. When injuries benched a large portion of the roster, he took full advantage of the opportunity.
The 24-year-old center out of Auburn quickly became a key defensive piece for Sacramento. Cardwell backs down from no one in the paint. He started collecting blocks like Pokemon, and locked down the rim. The rookie was a huge difference maker for the Kings.
More than that, Cardwell is a fountain of positivity and gratitude. He's just happy to even be in the league, getting a chance to put his training and skill to work on an NBA court. Watching Cardwell celebrate after a dunk or a block is more than worth the price of admission to Golden 1 Center.
Cardwell has to get his fouls under control to find long-term success
Everything isn't sunshine and roses for Cardwell. He has consistently had an issue with fouls and, to a lesser extent, turnovers. He'll be having a great game, but his minutes get limited because of foul trouble. All too often, Cardwell ends up getting fouled out of the game.
That happened during the final game of the California Classic. Cardwell was rolling with 12 points, 12 blocks, two assists, four steals, and four blocks. As always, the man was a defensive powerhouse. But his game was cut short by his sixth foul, which sent him to the bench for the rest of the evening.
Keeping in mind he didn't play in game two, the same thing almost happened in game one. He finished with eight points, nine blocks, two assists, two steals, and two blocks. On top of that, Cardwell also collected four turnovers and five personal fouls.
A big man who plays as hard as Cardwell does at both ends of the court is going to pick up fouls. It's almost inevitable. At the same time, he has to learn how to play his game with minimal fouls and without sacrificing his effectiveness. Hopefully, that will come with time and experience.
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