NBA: 5 Rookies Who Need To Start In 2015-16

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Oct 5, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein (00) and Portland Trail Blazers forward Noah Vonleh (21) battle for a rebound after a free throw at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Willie Cauley-Stein

Willie Cauley-Stein lacks the offensive polish you’d typically like to see from a starter, and heading into the season, there were questions about his conditioning. But Willie Trill has started in four of the Sacramento Kings‘ six preseason games and might be the frontrunner to start alongside DeMarcus Cousins on opening day.

Like pretty much every head coach in this league, George Karl has been noncommittal on whether he’ll be starting WCS or Kosta Koufos to kick off the new season. So far, however, the Kings have got to like what their seeing from their future Defensive Player of the Year candidate.

I was already signed up for Willie Cauley-Stein, starter, but after seeing him the last few games it’s really a no brainer.
— Aaron Bruski (@aaronbruski) October 9, 2015

Willie Trill may only be averaging 5.8 points per game, but he’s also putting up 6.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in only 23.5 minutes per game on 53.8 percent shooting, with a +2.5 point differential. Koufos has put up better numbers, posting 8.4 points and 6.2 rebounds in 24.1 minutes per game on 61.3 percent shooting.

But that’s to be expected with Koufos being the more established veteran, especially since he’s been coming off the bench and preying on less talented backup bigs. That trend bodes well for the Kings moving forward, and it’s one Karl should keep in place with his potential defensive stud in need of development.

Next: No. 4