NBA Free-Agency: 3 Center Options if Jonas Valanciunas Fails to Return to Memphis Grizzlies
Willie Cauley-Stein
If Jonas Valanciunas decides to part ways with the Memphis Grizzlies, the club should set Willie Cauley-Stein as their primary target. At the age of 25, you could still consider him as a part of the Grizzlies’ youth movement. He will be entering just his fifth season in the NBA in 2019-20.
Cauley-Stein is the enforcer type, much like Valanciunas. He can be a bully and a pest. He is scrappy. Honestly, he fits the mold of a traditional Memphis Grizzly. He does not have to put up a lot of points in order to be effective. Thus far in his professional career, he has been all about the boards and put-back buckets. He does not need to score 15+ points in order to be satisfied with his role.
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For this fact alone, it makes him an excellent counterpart to place next to sophomore-to-be Jaren Jackson Jr. in the Grizzlies’ frontcourt. Willie Cauley-Stein plays in a manner that would not clog the lane for Jackson Jr. on offense. Jaren could work with the ball while Willie hunts for rebounding position. Without a body or two on Willie-Cauley Stein in the paint, it is boards and put-backs all day long for the former Kentucky Wildcat. He averaged 11.9 points (on a whopping 55.6% field goal accuracy) and 8.4 rebounds in 27.3 minutes per game this past season.
This could be a twin towers pairing of sorts for the Memphis Grizzlies. “Grit-‘N’-Grind” would continue in the 901 with this frontcourt tandem. Plus, Cauley-Stein may be willing to sign on for multiple years in Memphis, which would align with Kyle Anderson’s deal, which was signed nearly one year ago. This could shore up the Grizzlies’ starting lineup for 2019-20 as well as the next few seasons altogether.
Cauley-Stein is getting pushed out of the way in Sacramento as the Kings continue to draft young big men. Their logjammed frontcourt does not allow much opportunity for Willie any longer, and Memphis would be a chance to own a role of opportunity and shine. Along with a pay raise, this should be an ideal landing spot for Willie Cauley-Stein.