New 7footer now has chance to grow
Golden State sees big upside to CauleyStein at center
The parallels between Willie CauleyStein and JaVale McGee are obvious: They’re both 7footers who thrive in transition, throw down alleyoop dunks at a high rate and struggle with consistency.
But, like most NBA comparisons, it’s lazy to call CauleyStein a younger version of McGee. CauleyStein, who agreed to a oneyear deal Tuesday with the Warriors for little more than a minimum contract, is more wellrounded than McGee. In addition to being more of a screensetter than McGee, CauleyStein is a better passer and shooter.
These differences are why the Warriors expect CauleyStein to play a bigger role next season than McGee did in his two seasons (201618) with them. Although CauleyStein — the No. 6 overall pick in the 2015 draft — failed to live up to lofty expectations with the Kings, he provides Golden State plenty of value on a bargain deal.
In an offensive system predicated on ball movement, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr wants his center to be a fulcrum of sorts. With a blend of size, court awareness, touch and timing, the 7foot, 240pounder is adept at posting up on the right block and drawing defenses toward him before he kicks out to open shooters.
In each of the past two seasons, CauleyStein averaged 2.4 assists per game. His career assist rate per 36 minutes
is more than three times McGee’s.
In the Kings’ uptempo attack, CauleyStein excelled as a lob threat, which is probably the biggest reason for the recent rash of McGee comparisons. But when given room to operate, CauleyStein can knock down the midrange jumper.
He hit 35 shots between 10 and 19 feet last season. That number should spike with the Warriors, with whom he’ll benefit from the floor spacing Stephen Curry, D’Angelo Russel and, eventually, Klay Thompson provide.
Most of CauleyStein’s 182 dunks last season came as the screensetter in high pick-and-rolls. The Warriors have run the fewest pickandrolls in the league since Kerr became head coach five years ago, but that figures to change.
Russell, whom Golden State acquired in the Kevin Durant signandtrade with Brooklyn on Sunday, is one of the best pickandroll point guards in the NBA. To maximize Russell’s talents, Kerr would be wise to call more pickand-rolls — especially when Curry and Draymond Green sit (they typically play the same minutes).
CauleyStein ranked 14th in the league last season with 3.7 screen assists per game. Although Kerr won’t abandon his movementheavy principles, he recognizes that he’ll need to adapt with Durant gone. The threat of Russell and CauleyStein in pickandrolls offers the Warriors’ offense a valuable wrinkle.
On defense, CauleyStein has disappointed. His potential on that side of the court was a big reason he was a top10 pick. But in his four seasons with the Kings, CauleyStein wasn’t the interior defender his leaping ability and wingspan suggest he could be. Not once has he averaged more than a block per game.
CauleyStein’s team defense doesn’t make up for his lack of an interior presence. Far too often, he overhelps, surrendering easy shots.
Although he probably won’t be an elite defender, Cauley-Stein has the physical tools to at least be adequate. Ron Adams, the Warriors’ defensive guru, is a master at getting the most out of his defenders. McGee, for example, learned to stop chasing blocks and play solid positional defense in his two years with Golden State. There is no reason Cauley-Stein can’t make similar strides.
CauleyStein is an imperfect prospect, but the Warriors didn’t expect to get an AllStar near the minimum. His measurements and skills make him a promising reclamation project for a team going with a youth movement. At age 25, CauleyStein could blossom into a key rotation player just by playing hard and listening to his coaches.
This much is unquestioned: With the Warriors, he’ll get tons of opportunity. The only centers under contract for next season are CauleyStein, Kevon Looney and Damian Jones.
Looney will log big minutes, but Kerr prefers him off the bench. Jones, who is still on Golden State’s summerleague team three seasons into his NBA career, has yet to prove he belongs at this level.
CauleyStein fits the mold of the centers Kerr likes to start. If Warriors fans expect him to be a younger McGee, they should be pleasantly surprised.
This much is unquestioned: With the Warriors, he’ll get tons of opportunity.