NBA: Ranking all 30 starting centers for 2018-19 season

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26. Willie Cauley-Stein, Sacramento Kings

Willie Cauley-Stein has looked like the only answer at center for a few years now, but he hasn’t done much with the opportunity in front of him, and he hasn’t faced much competition during that time either (no offense, Kosta Koufos). That’s all going to change in 2018-19 with a healthy Harry Giles and Marvin Bagley III joining the frontcourt.

Bagley is more of a 4 at this point, but could be best-suited as a small-ball 5 long-term. Giles, meanwhile, looked decent enough in NBA Summer League, averaging 10.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game during his first official outings for the Sacramento Kings.

Cauley-Stein still has the inside track to the starting gig because of his experience, but after posting 12.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game on only 50.2 percent shooting last year, he’s hardly cemented his place there. Entering his fourth NBA season, it’s time for WCS to start looking like the defensive anchor he was projected to be.