New Orleans Pelicans Possible Free Agents: Willie Cauley-Stein
Willie Cauley-Stein
The Pelicans are likely to need a new center if they let Derrick Favors walk, and they’d love to grab a guy who is cheap, can protect the rim and who gives Jaxson Hayes time to develop.
Willie Cauley-Stein has a player option for $2.28 million next season, which he is almost certain to decline. He can get more in the open market, but how much more is up for debate.
Cauley-Stein didn’t travel to Disney with the team, as his wife is gave birth in July and he didn’t want to take the risk. This could actually be good for the Pelicans, as a good bubble run from Cauley-Stein would have likely priced him out of their range.
Cauley-Stein has never lived up to his status as the #6 pick, but he is still talented and fills a potential need for the Pelicans.
Cauley-Stein blocked 1.1 shots per game in 41 games for the Golden State Warriors this season, which would make him the best rim protector on the Pelicans. As a backup center this season, he averaged 7.2 points and 5.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in around 20 minutes a game, which is not bad production.
He is still just 27-years-old and it does feel like he is going to have a breakout season as a defender, rim protector and rebounder at some point.
Cauley-Stein isn’t going to stretch the floor or do much of anything on offense, but he would give the Pelicans an athletic 7-foot rim protector, who is still relatively young and should be cheap.