In confirmation of long expected news, the Rockets officially signed veteran big man Willie Cauley-Stein on Sunday. The move is reportedly being done to secure Cauley-Stein’s G League rights for Houston’s developmental affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
The Rockets already have a lengthy NBA depth chart at center. Bruno Fernando, Usman Garuba, Derrick Favors and Boban Marjanovic are in the mix to back up starter Alperen Sengun. However, the presence of Cauley-Stein in the G League could provide a pipeline to tap into after injuries or other roster moves.
Now 28 years old, Cauley-Stein was the No. 6 pick in the 2015 NBA draft by Sacramento. The 7-foot big man, who previously played at the University of Kentucky, played only sparingly in 20 games (mostly mop-up duty) with Dallas and Philadelphia last season.
Cauley-Stein hasn’t been a consistent NBA rotation player since the 2020-21 campaign, so it makes sense he would have to work his way back into the league with a strong G League showing.
Statistically, Cauley-Stein’s best years came in his original NBA home, Sacramento. In a two-season span from 2017-18 through 2018-19, Cauley-Stein averaged 12.3 points (52.8% FG), 7.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 27.6 minutes per game.
𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗡 – The Houston Rockets today announced they have signed free agent center Willie Cauley-Stein.
More info: https://t.co/LQowxkE821 pic.twitter.com/Nw17DMMkYf
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 9, 2022
