League: WNBA Sport: Basketball Country: United States Category: Trades

Willie Cauley-Stein alleges Kings promised $80 million contract but limited his playtime

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 11, 2026, 11:21 AM

Last updated Aug 11, 2026

Willie Cauley-Stein alleges Kings promised $80 million contract but limited his playtime

Summary

Willie Cauley-Stein claimed that during his time with the Sacramento Kings, the franchise assured him an $80 million contract if he averaged a double-double. He stated that despite performing well, he was often benched in the fourth quarter, preventing him from meeting that average. Drafted as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Cauley-Stein eventually left the Kings and played for other teams before drifting out of the league by 2022. His comments reflect concerns about how teams manage player contracts and minutes to avoid incentive payouts.

Source Links

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Key Details

•Cauley-Stein averaged nearly 13 points and eight rebounds during his tenure with the Kings.
•He claims the Kings stated he could earn $80 million if he averaged a double-double.
•Cauley-Stein's performance was often limited by being benched in crucial moments.
•He was selected by the Kings in the 2015 NBA Draft as a top prospect.
•Cauley-Stein left the Kings in 2019 and faced challenges in maintaining a career in the NBA.

Latest Updates

11:21 AMYahoo Sports — Former NBA star claims Sacramento Kings made $80 million assurances, then didn’t play him enough

What they're saying

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Willie Cauley-Stein’s latest story suggests that the Sacramento Kings held him back from potentially achieving what he could have. During the 2015 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings selected Willie Cauley-Stein with the No.
— Yahoo Sports

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Golden State Warriors Sacramento Kings WNBA Basketball