Former Kentucky big man Willie Cauley-Stein is projected to be a top pick in June's NBA Draft. Cauley-Stein's college career was so impressive he didn't need to work out at last week's NBA Draft Combine. But he still attended to meet with representatives from NBA teams, like the Indiana Pacers.
Although the Pacers currently have the 11th pick in the draft (they have a slim 0.7 percent chance of ending up with the No. 1 pick), Pacers president Larry Bird still met Cauley-Stein and gave him a vote of confidence. A $100 million vote of confidence to be exact.
From Candace Buckner of the Indianapolis Star:
Willie Cauley-Stein on his meeting with the Pacers: "Larry [Bird] told me, 'I think you're a $100 million dollar player.' I hear that and I'm like, 'Really?!' "
Willie Cauley-Stein said that he will have a workout with the Pacers in the near future.
Willie Cauley-Stein on Pacers: "They see me as a player in the five position & put Paul [George] at the four. Now I'll have a mismatch."
With rookie deals being set, Cauley-Stein won't be making $100 million for his first contract. If he is reaches his potential, that possibility exists further into his NBA career.
But it is interesting that Cauley-Stein is going to be working out with the Pacers. With the Pacers hoping to adopt a faster style, seemingly without Roy Hibbert, Cauley-Stein could be a good fit. However, unless the Pacers move up in the draft with a trade, he is sure to be gone before their 11th pick.
