Willie Cauley-Stein is looking forward to getting paid.
The Kings center is entering his fourth NBA season after a career-best campaign with Sacramento, where the 25-year-old posted 12.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per game. Heading into free agency, the big man wasn’t shy about wanting to get paid.
“I’m ready to get paid,” Cauley-Stein shared with James Ham of NBC Sports California. “This is what we’ve got to do, that’s what type of focus I’m on… I’m ready for it. I’ve seen everybody else – all my peers. Alright, I’m ready for that. What do I got to do to do that? That’s what they’re doing? Alright, I’m going to go ahead and do this now. I was doing it this way, obviously it wasn’t working, so now lets do it this way.”
Cauley-Stein wants to get paid, but how much will largely depend on his output this upcoming season. His impact with the Kings has been incredibly inconsistent, as there have been nights where Cauley-Stein has been the best guy on the court and nights where he’s seemingly disappeared. Being consistent will add big money to his future deal. He’s not a max player by any means, but a new deal could hit double-digit millions.
Sacramento is loaded with young, big men, like Skal Labissiere, Harry Giles, and second overall pick Marvin Bagley. So, if Cauley-Stein wants to be a part of the Kings future and get a big pay-day, he’s got to take his game to the next level. Regardless, you have to love his confidence.
[Uproxx]
About Liam McGuire
Social +Staff writer for The Comeback & Awful Announcing. Liammcguirejournalism@gmail.com