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Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
Summary
Cauley-Stein's value primarily comes at the offensive end, where he is a legitimate lob threat either out of pick-and-roll or hanging out in the dunker spot. His size and athleticism provides a real benefit, even if it is somewhat superfluous with what Dwight Powell brings to the table. On defense, Cauley-Stein has a decent block rate, but isn't considered a good rim protector. He hasn't developed the positional awareness to make a real impact on defense, which is the reason he hasn't fully lived up to the expectations some had when he was drafted #6 overall in 2015.
While I think Cauley-Stein would be overpaid at $4.2 million, I'm not sure the Mavs would agree with me. Even if they do, they may still pick up his option considering they may not need to maximize their cap space, and might prefer just bringing Cauley-Stein back rather than trying to pick up a similar player for the minimum in free agency.
Cap Considerations
Cauley-Stein has a $4.2 million team option for 2020-2021, and if that is declined he will be an unrestricted free agent with a $5.2 million cap hold and Early Bird rights. Using his Early Bird rights, the Mavs can offer Cauley-Stein a starting salary of 5% above the average salary (around $10 million), which should be more than enough. In the unlikely scenario that it's not, the Mavs could also use cap space to re-sign Cauley-Stein.
Other teams will have multiple ways to sign Cauley-Stein as even teams without cap space could possibly use any of the Non-Taxpayer MLE, Taxpayer MLE, or possibly even the Room MLE or Bi-Annual Exception to sign him. There's also a chance that Cauley-Stein ends up settling for the minimum.
Potential Teams: Mavericks, Clippers, Bucks, Wizards, Hornets
Predicted Contract: Opt-In: $4.2 million
If he opts out: 1-year, $4.5 million with the Mavericks
Actual Contract: Opt-In: $4.2 million
The Mavericks decided to pick up the team option on Cauley-Stein, and had plenty of space to use the full MLE and most of the BAE while still retaining their other free agents and being well below the luxury tax.
Last updated: 8/16/2021
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