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Summary

Despite starting for the majority of his career and being relatively productive, Cauley-Stein's market was extremely dry this past summer, and he ended up settling for a contract just slightly above the minimum with the Golden State Warriors.

 

Cauley-Stein is a rim-running big that has the athleticism to make plays on defense. However, he isn't an elite vertical lob threat, and hasn't learned how to use his length to become a great rim protector either. If Cauley-Stein can develop those parts of his game, he could develop into a Tyson Chandler-type center. If he's unable to do that, then he needs to improve his skills such as shooting or making plays out of the short roll.

Cap Considerations

Cauley-Stein has a $2.3 million player option for next season, and if he declines that option he will be an unrestricted free agent with a $2.6 million cap hold and Non-Bird Rights. If Cauley-Stein opts for free agency, the Mavericks will be limited in their means of re-signing him. Since they will only have his Non-Bird Rights, the most they could offer him using the Non-Bird Exception is a contract starting at $2.6 million. However, the Mavericks could use their $9.3 million Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception or their $3.6 million Bi-Annual Exception to re-sign him, or cap space if they operate under the cap.

 

Other teams will have multiple ways to sign Cauley-Stein as even teams without cap space could possibly use any of the Non-Taxpayer, Taxpayer, or Room Mid-Level Exceptions to sign him.

Potential Teams: Mavericks, Celtics, Raptors, Pistons, Wizards

Predicted Contract: Opt-In

If He Opts Out: 1-year, $2.6 million with the Mavericks

Actual Contract: 2-year, $8.2 million (team option) with the Mavericks

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I was surprised Cauley-Stein opted out, but he was able to turn it into a solid contract.

Last updated: 12/31/2020

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