Sacramento Kings: Willie Cauley-Stein or Justise Winslow?

Ok, so maybe trading DeMarcus Cousins isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

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But is trading Ben McLemore a better flavor?

The Sacramento Kings are often big losers when draft time rolls around. This year they’ve got a bright opportunity to send resounding shock waves with their draft pick. Picking at the sixth spot is a good position because of the depth of prospects. In order make bigger steps and start to level this unequal playing field that they’ve been playing on, the Kings need to draft the best available talent.

Forget about plugging holes. If Emmanuel Mudiay isn’t available at No. 6, then we’ll see how prepared they were for draft day. Questions will become concerns when the 2015 NBA Draft rolls around because of the lack of answers. One of those answers could be…

Justise Winslow

Fresh off a 2015 final four appearance that gave Coach Mike Krzyzewski his fifth national championship, Winslow is a barely a 19-year-old freshman anymore.

It’s one thing being a 6’6″ lefty with sick bounce, great speed and a good all-around game. It’s another thing when people start throwing around Kawhi Leonard and James Harden comparisons. Can you blame them though?

Winslow’s ability on the court made everyone take notice. We got to see a person who plays at a breakneck pace for an entire 40 minute game. Coach K was even prepared for Winslow’s speed in the open court because he gave Winslow a lot of freedom when the basketball was in his hands. Was that on accident? Who knows.

For a year we saw Winslow scream, yell and dominate college basketball. Was that said about the former Kings lottery picks?

Willie Trill Cauley-Stien

You have to love that new name right?

A combination of true and real personifies Cauley-Stein. On the court he’s one of the most genuine to play because he understands his strengths and weakness and even without a steady offensive game he’s still very effective.

The Kings are already stacked with young talent it comes to the perimeter. Nik Stauskas is going to have a solid place in the league, so will Ben McLemore. Each of them are developing slowly at their own pace but nonetheless getting better.

That’s why Willie Cauley-Stein might have to start looking for houses in the Sacramento area because that factor might be enough of a reason for management to draft him.

Carl Landry is getting up there in age. Ryan Hollins is a decent player and Derrick Williams is still trying to figure it out.

It’s not too much to think that Cauley-Stein could come in from day one and become the starting center. Not only would it help because it address a gaping hole at center but it also allows DeMarcus Cousins to shift to power forward. Talk about mismatches?

Let’s put it this way. The only power forwards in the league that have a chance at guarding Cousins are Anthony Davis, Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge and Derrick Favors. Outside of those four mentioned, everyone should be on a warning notice.

For Cauley-Stein all he would need to do from the minute that he gets drafted is eat a lot of food and starting hitting the weight room. Right now his body size is closer to Chris Bosh even though the person that Cauley-Stein gets compared to the most is Tyson Chandler. It’s a good comparison too because each of their body compositions, as well as their games, are eerily similar.

Entering the league out of high school Chandle was 7’1″, 225 pounds. Now he’s listed at 7’1″ 240 pounds.

Because Cauley-Stein played in college for three years he’s already got a great advantage unlike Chandler’s beginning in the league. Entering the draft Cauley-Stein stands at 7’0″, 242 pounds. At the combine it was evident though that even with his size advantage he’ll have to add more weight to his athletic and slender frame.

What’s most important about Cauley-Stein is that understands his role on the court. To become a good starter in the league (which he’s capable of becoming) he’ll have to rebound as well as he did in college and continue to stay as an interior presence. As long as he’s an active defender he’ll help win more games for a struggling franchise.

The biggest question that management will have to address is who’s ceiling is higher, Cauley-Steins’ or Winslow’s?

The Kings have a chance to land a home run pick and they shouldn’t let their draft position determine who they’ll take instead of acquiring talent. Winslow or Cauley-Stein could work for whichever direction management chooses to go in.

What management will do to change the Kings losing situation after they get drafted is the most important question.

Next: Minnesota Timberwolves: Pros & Cons Of Karl-Anthony Towns At No. 1

Sacramento Kings: Willie Trill Cauley-Stein or Justise Winslow?

By DJoumbarey A. Moreau | Jun 7, 2015

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