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Hindsight is 20/20: Redoing the 2015 NBA Draft

By Cody Williams

Nov 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 106-104. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 106-104. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 13, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein (00) during the fourth quarter against the Orlando Magic at Golden 1 Center. The Kings defeated the Magic 120-115. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein (00) during the fourth quarter against the Orlando Magic at Golden 1 Center. The Kings defeated the Magic 120-115. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Charlotte Hornets: Willie Cauley-Stein, C

Original Pick: Frank Kaminsky, F/C

In one of the least shocking moves in draft history, the Charlotte Hornets drafted Frank Kaminsky with the No. 9 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. Rich Cho and the Hornets front office have proven in their tenure to be enamored with successful college players, particularly those that play in the frontcourt. Thus, bringing Kaminsky to Charlotte was both a reach and totally predictable. Even still, they’d be better off with Willie Cauley-Stein.

As the Hornets proved this season by trying to bring in Roy Hibbert, they want to define themselves on the defensive end of the floor. However, they don’t have a big man capable of doing that just yet. And though he’s flawed in parts of his overall defensive ability, Cauley-Stein has proven already that he’s a rim protector that can grab blocks and, at the very least, change shots at the rim.

We really got a taste of what Cauley-Stein is capable of following the DeMarcus Cousins trade. Though he averaged only 18.9 minutes per game on the season as a whole, he was on the floor for 30.9 over the final 25 games of the year. And in doing so, he proved to be a solid and efficient offensive player (though hardly dynamic) with great ability on the glass and, again, immense defensive potential at the rim.

With his combination of size and athleticism, Cauley-Stein would dramatically change the look of the Hornets frontcourt had they been able to take him. Perhaps we’re only scratching the surface of what he’ll become in Sacramento, but it’s quite clear that he was well worth a top-10 pick in this class.

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