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Golden State Warriors: Double-double average is Willie Cauley-Stein’s next level

By Nathan Beighle

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 24: Willie Cauley-Stein #00 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 24, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 24: Willie Cauley-Stein #00 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 24, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors need scoring to come from somewhere, and it’ll be up to Willie Cauley-Stein to proactively be that third option.

Signing numerous veterans without too many other offers this offseason, the Golden State Warriors secured Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein. The former Wildcat is expected to be the team’s starting center.

While the Warriors will have Kevon Looney, it seems, for now, they’ll bring him off the bench even after a terrific run in the postseason. Looney should be able to develop his offensive playmaking on the second unit as well.

The Warriors, who don’t have much depth, will need help from their starting center. Last season, they’d get average performances from DeMarcus Cousins and Looney. This season, they need a center that’ll be aggressive on the offensive end.

That’s where Cauley-Stein must flourish.

During his last two seasons in Sacramento, Cauley-Stein averaged 12.8 and 11.9. He chipped in 7.0 and 8.4 rebounds per game as well with the second figure being the 7-footer’s most recent average.

Cauley-Stein should be able, in the minutes allotted to him by Kerr and the staff, reach 15 points and 10 boards. That’s the type of production the Warriors need from him. The Dubs lost around 45 points this offseason with the injury to Thompson and the departure of Durant.

They’ll have elite scoring options in their starting five as the team added All-Star D’Angelo Russell. That said, the Warriors will have some space for a scoring option to thrive, and it should be Willie Cauley-Stein.

Shooting over 55% from the field last season, the big man shot over 85% of his shots within 10 feet and the majority within three feet. Given the ability for Cauley-Stein to thrive around the rim and the passing of Curry and Russell, he should have the opportunity to score at a high level.

Averaging double-figure boards per 36 minutes for the first time in his career, Cauley-Stein, who will be playing alongside Draymond Green and not Marvin Bagley, should have a chance at more boards as well.

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One of the most slept on centers in free agency, Cauley-Stein should explode this season, hopefully averaging a double-double for the first time in his career.

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