When the Kings agreed to a three-year, $40 million contract with center Dewayne Dedmon at the start of free agency this summer, it seemed like a small move compared to the rest of the craziness in the NBA.
Nevermind that, though. The former Hawk could be the perfect fit in Sacramento. Just ask the player he's replacing.
"I think it fits better for them in that role for what they want -- shooting 3s, rim protecting, all that," former Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein recently told Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee. "Obviously, they felt I didn't do a good job at it. I think (Dedmon) is one of the good ones in the league who does that, so for them I think that's a big-time move."
Cauley-Stein signed a two-year, $4.4 million deal with the Warriors this offseason when the Kings made him an unrestricted free agent. He's expected to play the rim-running role that JaVale McGee previously had as someone who can run the floor and catch lobs. Dedmon will have a much different role on the Kings.
Dedmon, who turns 30 in August, didn't attempt a single 3-point shot the first four seasons of his six-year NBA career. That changed two seasons ago in Atlanta. The 7-footer 133 3-point shots the past two seasons and made 38.2 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc last season.
Cauley-Stein, by comparison, only has four 3-pointers to his name in his four-year NBA career. He's only attempted 18 and isn't seen as a reliable shooter.
Sports
[RELATED: Source: Ex-Kings big man Koufos agrees with European club]
The Kings are expected to shoot plenty of shots from deep this season under new head coach Luke Walton. Even as the big man down low, Dedmon will be called upon to let it fly from long distance.
"I like to get up and down the floor and shoot 3s," Dedmon said to The Bee. "It's definitely something I look forward to. That fast pace, getting up and down the floor, running, catching lobs, shooting some 3s, it's going to be fun."
