Orlando Magic Daily
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Last six sixth overall picks should give Orlando Magic hope for NBA Draft

By S.W. Guest

Feb 15, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) is fouled by North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (1) during the first half at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) is fouled by North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (1) during the first half at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Willie Cauley-Stein, Sacramento Kings, Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
Jan 23, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein (00) drives to the basket during the second quarter as Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) defends at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

2015 –- Willie Cauley-Stein (Sacramento Kings)

Willie Cauley-Stein was an odd choice for the Sacramento Kings in 2015.

He was far from a bad option coming out of Kentucky, he just seemed like a bad fit on a roster already dominated by All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins.

Still, the Kings managed to find him 21.4 minutes per game during his rookie campaign, resulting in 7.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.0 block per game in 66 appearances. These numbers altered marginally in his sophomore season, as his points total increased to 8.1 per game, while his rebounds and blocks fell to 4.5 and 0.6 per game respectively.

The trouble is that Cauley-Stein’s raw talent is the kind that takes time to develop. And with an eager-to-compete Cousins on the roster, that is something Sacramento never really had.

Still, post-Cousins the Kings are looking to retool and can probably start shifting some of the veteran pieces on their roster to build around the likes of Cauley-Stein, Buddy Hield and whoever they take with the 10th overall pick this year.

Cauley-Stein shined post-Cousins, averaging 12.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per game in a little more than 30 minutes per game after the All-Star Break. It looked like Cauley-Stein was ready to break through and become a solid contributor.

That said, Sacramento is hardly known for drafting well. And the powers that be there are likely still kicking themselves for passing on, say, Devin Booker, who would have been a more interesting fit alongside Cousins and may even have given him the confidence to stick around.