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Willie Cauley-Stein will thrive with the Golden State Warriors

By Tony Pesta

SACRAMENTO, CA - April 4, 2019: Willie Cauley-Stein #00 of the Sacramento Kings dunks the basketball vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 4, 2019 at Golden One Center 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, 2019: Willie Cauley-Stein #00 of the Sacramento Kings dunks the basketball vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 4, 2019 at Golden One Center 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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Willie Cauley-Stein has had a less than exciting NBA career, but he will finally thrive with the Golden State Warriors.

Selected sixth overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, NBA scouts had high hopes for Willie Cauley-Stein. The athletic big man hasn’t yet lived up to expectations, but a new chance with the Golden State Warriors could unlock his full potential.

Cauley-Stein played the first four seasons of his career with the Sacramento Kings. In his rookie season, WCS averaged 7.0 points and 5.3 rebounds a game on his way to earning a spot on the All-Rookie team. Since then, his career has gone down a bad path.

His production has steadily increased, averaging 11.9 points and 8.4 rebounds last season, but his overall reputation has taken a hit. He hasn’t shown much motivation to improve any aspect of his game and he is an awful rim protector for a player with his length and athleticism. Finishing the season with only 51 total blocks in over 2,000 minutes of playing time, WCS was the second worst rim protector in the league behind only Julius Randle.

Inspiring a player who isn’t very interested in becomming a star is tough. However, if anything could motivate WCS it is a change of scenery. Going from being just role player on a lackluster Sacramento Kings team to one of the most important big-men for a franchise in the middle of a dynasty is a drastic change.

Hopefully, this change of culture is enough to light a fire under WCS. If not, I’m sure Draymond Green won’t let WCS go too long without demanding more out of him.

When Cauley-Stein finally begins to act like he cares, he could be a scary weapon for the Dubs. With his supreme athleticism and jumping ability, WCS will become a prime target for weak side alley-oops. Expect to see Draymond throw a lob up to Cauley-Stein multiple times a game.

Above all else, maybe we will see him improve on the defensive end. He has the tools necessary to have a positive impact and he showed signs of shot blocking in his rookie year when he rejected 1.0 shots per game.

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There is no better time than right now for WCS to prove himself. If he does, the Dubs will be in a great position next season.

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