The Golden State Warriors acquired center Willie Cauley-Stein with the prospect of making him their new starting center. Fate would have other plans. The 7-foot big man missed the entire preseason with a left mid-foot sprain and has yet to suit up for the team, though he's now “pretty close” to a return, potentially making his debut during the upcoming homestand, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic.
Head coach Steve Kerr has had to scramble for options at center, first going with Kevon Looney in the season opener against the Los Angeles Clippers, then giving Marquese Chriss a shot at the wake of the former's injury — and ultimately switching to his last, but best option in the 6-foot-6 Draymond Green, who hauled in 17 rebounds in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Warriors are simply a mess in the frontcourt and will need some production besides the All-Star duo of Stephen Curry and D'Angelo Russell. WCS can be that pogo stick center that can catch lobs, rebound, and set impact screens to free up the likes of Curry and Russell.
The injury to Looney represents an immediate need for Cauley-Stein's contributions, given that the Warriors have had to make due with rookie Eric Paschall and second-year big man Omari Spellman filling in, despite being largely undersized to play the position.
The Warriors will be home for nearly an entire week, first facing the greatly improved Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, then rolling onto the San Antonio Spurs, the Charlotte Hornets, and the Portland Trail Blazers in the next games before going on the road again on Nov. 6.
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