SACRAMENTO -- There’s a lot on the line for Willie Cauley-Stein. The fourth-year big in the final year of his rookie scale contract and he put a mark on his own back during media day when he talked about wanting to get paid.
Through five games, the 24-year-old center is backing up the talk. He’s gone toe-to-toe with some of the game’s best bigs and more often than not, he’s held his own.
“I think that Willie Cauley-Stein just played five of maybe the better guys in our league at his position; I thought he held his own and really made a statement that he belongs,” coach Dave Joerger said following the Kings’ win over Memphis on Wednesday. “It’s been a tough five games, I think he’s battled and done a terrific job.”
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It started on opening night against Rudy Gobert. Cauley-Stein attacked the NBA’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year, finishing the night with 23 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
He got into the chest of Gobert and scored over the 7-footer with a variety of moves, showing a confidence that wasn’t there in the past.
Cauley-Stein posted a solid 20-point, seven-rebound effort in game two against All-Star Anthony Davis. Again, he was fearless scoring in the post, although the Kings struggled to compete as a team.
Every night is a challenge in the West. In game three, Cauley-Stein battled NBA strongman, Steven Adams in the painted area, finishing with 13 points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes of action.
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Two nights later he drew the best passing big in the league in Nikola Jokic. Again, Cauley-Stein finished in double-figure scoring with 11 points and six rebounds in 24 minutes.
In the Kings’ big win over the Grizzlies on Wednesday, Cauley-Stein limited Marc Gasol to 10 points and 10 rebounds in 30 minutes and he countered with a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double.
“I worked for this, I feel like I’m the same as them,” Cauley-Stein told NBC Sports California. “It wasn’t like I’m coming to them, like I’m a big upset to them. I worked hard for that the same way they worked hard. I just come out there and play aggressive.”
Cauley-Stein isn’t posting double-doubles every night or becoming the next 20 and 10 guy. But he’s bringing a consistent effort and he’s showing improvement in most facets of the game. There is obvious progress and he’s becoming an integral part of what the Kings are trying to accomplish this season.
“Hopefully it validates his hard work and where he’s come from in his career,” Joerger said. “It’s not like they were throwing him the ball at Kentucky and letting him work at the elbow. Think of the skills that he’s acquired. It’s not always going to be perfect for him, but I just really like what he’s doing.”
There are still things Cauley-Stein needs to improve on, but through five games the eccentric big is posting 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and a steal in 29 minutes per game. He’s shooting 59 percent from the field and he’s posting a player efficiency rating of 22.6.
“I’m a big believer in just letting the game come to you,” Cauley-Stein said. “You play hard and it ends up working out.”
Cauley-Stein could hit the glass harder. He could also block a few more shots. But there is a lot to like from what he has shown so far and he produced against some of the better bigs in the league.
It’s early, but Cauley-Stein is carving out a niche with the Kings and his skill set is improved. His numbers could even spike higher once Bogdan Bogdanovic returns from injury in early November. The second-year guard has a knack for finding Cauley-Stein on the lob and the chemistry on the court between the two is undeniable.
The sample size is small, but Cauley-Stein is turning heads with his play. Five games down, 77 more to go.