NBA Draft 2015: Which Rookies Will Start Opening Night?

4. Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Sacramento Kings

If Willie Cauley-Stein’s medical history can hold up and his foot is good to go for this season, he will be in the starting lineup right away for the Sacramento Kings.

In fact, there are a couple of ways that this could go for Cauley-Stein. The first being that if the Sacramento Kings do indeed trade DeMarcus Cousins, the rebuilding will get underway with Cauley-Stein at center. The other way is Cauley-Stein playing next to Cousins, if the Kings decide to keep their franchise center.

Cauley-Stein is a versatile player who can play next to Cousins, and has worked on his offensive game enough that he can stretch the floor a little bit. His athletic seven-foot frame is the antithesis of the large from of Cousins, but together the two could pose very real threats with Cousins’ ability to bully his way around in the paint and Cauley-Stein’s ability to get up and block shots.

With the tumultuous start to the off-season, the Kings fans need something to be excited about, and seeing Cauley-Stein out on the floor potentially with Cousins is something they can indeed get excited about when it comes to thinking of the future that the two could have together.

If Cousins is indeed traded, then Cauley-Stein, along with the young pieces they surely will acquire, will work together to help make the Kings relevant again, and that’s something that has eluded the franchise for almost a decade.

It all depends on if his foot makes him healthy enough to go right away, and Sacramento could preach patience and slowly bring him along. However, if he’s good to go, he’s an instant starter in the lineup from day one.

Next: 5. Emmanuel Mudiay