Early Impressions of Willie Cauley-Stein at 2015 NBA Summer League

With Emmanuel Mudiay, a potential franchise point guard, available for the taking in the NBA draft, the Sacramento Kings chose to pass and address their defense. Willie Cauley-Stein flashed unparalleled defensive versatility at Kentucky, having likely sold the Kings on his high-flying athleticism, rim protection and ability to switch onto guards or wings. 

Those strengths ultimately came to life during his first NBA Summer League, where Kings fans received an encouraging glimpse of the unique two-way capabilities Cauley-Stein has to offer. 

While it was shot-blocking—his bread and butter—that helped generate most of the buzz in Las Vegas, Cauley-Stein also managed to surprise with his offense and production. 

Offense 

He isn't known for his offense, and odds are he never will be. But Cauley-Stein is a better scorer around the key than he's given credit for. 

We saw it a few times in summer league: Cauley-Stein showed he can make shots that require touch and adjustments, from one-handed pushes off the dribble to hooks off the catch or a drop step.

Improving his fluidity when working one-on-one will take time, but Cauley-Stein occasionally showcased impressive footwork in the post. 

Otherwise, he did a nice job of reading the play in front of him and positioning himself for catch-and-finish opportunities. Cauley-Stein's size and bounce naturally translated to a number of easy buckets around the basket, many of which came in transition after he'd beat the opposing team down the floor. His other field goals either came on tips or dump-down passes.

Cauley-Stein did miss some contested shots in traffic, and he even got his shot blocked twice by Denver Nuggets' rookie Nikola Jokic. 

We also didn't see much of the jumper that earned some attention during predraft workouts. 

However, in a frontcourt with DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay, Cauley-Stein won't be asked to do much shooting and scoring. Head coach George Karl talked about what will be expected of Sacramento's new rookie center, via NBA.com's Scott Howard-Cooper:

"

When you have guys like Cuz and Rudy Gay and (Rajon) Rondo, the defense tilts to them and that'll give, I think, Will the opportunities that he'll be able to figure out and be efficient on offense. I don't think he has to be dynamic. He doesn't have to be spectacular. He just has to be efficient.

"

Defense 

Cauley-Stein's defensive playmaking ability was on full display in Las Vegas. He just covers a ton of ground from baseline to baseline, sideline to sideline. 

While his 7'0" size is an obvious plus, it's Cauley-Stein's ability to quickly react and explode off the floor that enhances his effectiveness. He possesses lightning foot speed for a big, as well as incredible springs.

Take a look at how quickly he closes the wide gap between him and Gary Harris on the break:

NBA TV

Cauley-Stein's signature play of summer league was arguably another chase-down block that saw him stay stride-for-stride with guard Drew Crawford for 80 feet. It was reminiscent of his game-saving play against Notre Dame in the Elite Eight, when he shadowed Jerian Grant the length of the floor on the final possession. 

Cauley-Stein's effort was there all week, and usually when his adrenaline was pumping, it led to all sorts of activity. In two games against the Golden State Warriors this summer, he blocked a total of eight shots in a combined 38 minutes.  

Cauley-Stein didn't make every defensive rotation, but that's expected of any rookie big man. 

Overall, Cauley-Stein looked like the same dangerous weapon from college—the one who can shrink the size of the rim he's protecting, guard multiple positions and efficiently capitalize on the plays that find him in the offense.

In terms of his projected impact in 2015-16, chances are he'll shoot a high percentage, average over a block a game and rank near the top in steals among big men. He looks to be on a similar path as the one that made centers like Tyson Chandler and DeAndre Jordan so coveted. Nerlens Noel is another big he's starting to resemble. 

Given the team's need for interior defense—the Kings finished No. 27 in the NBA last year in defensive efficiency, according to ESPN, and No. 29 in opponent field-goal shooting within six feet, according to NBA.com—Cauley-Stein can plug a major hole.

And you got the impression from summer league that he'll be ready to immediately contribute, even if it's just by injecting his motor and energy into the lineup.