Former NBA 6th Overall Pick Reportedly Signs With New Team

Former NBA player Willie Cauley-Stein has signed with a team in Puerto Rico.

Willie Cauley-Stein most recently played in the NBA during the 2021-22 season when he was a member of the Dallas Mavericks and Philadelphia 76ers. 

That season, he averaged 1.7 points and 2.0 rebounds per contest while shooting 45.7% from the field (he also appeared in six NBA playoff games with the Mavs). 

Recently, it was announced that the 30-year-old has joined Indios de Mayagüez, a team in Puerto Rico (h/t RealGM and Sportando).  

Via Indios de Mayagüez's Facebook Page on January 26 (translated to English): "Cauley-Stein is our first reinforcement for the 2024 season. He has extensive experience in the NBA, Europe, among others. "

¡Willey Cauley-Stein, bienvenidos a la Sultana!🗣️🏹 Cauley-Stein es nuestro primer refuerzo para la temporada 2024. Cuenta con vasta experiencia en la NBA, Europa, entre otros. ✍️ #SomosUno | #SomosLaTribu

Posted by Indios de Mayagüez on Friday, January 26, 2024

After three seasons of college basketball playing for Kentucky, Cauley-Stein was the sixth pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. 

Over seven seasons in the league, he played for the Sacramento Kings (four seasons),  Dallas Mavericks (84 games), Golden State Warriors (41 games) and Philadelphia 76ers (two games). 

His career averages are 8.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per contest while shooting 54.4% from the field in 422 regular season games. 

Arguably the best season of his career came in 2019 when he played 81 games for the Kings. 

That year, he averaged 11.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.2 steals per contest while shooting 55.6% from the field. 

Cauley-Stein is still young enough that he could one day return to the NBA. 

He would be an intriguing addition for a contender who needs depth (and size) on their bench for a playoff series.