On February 25, Beijing time, the Philadelphia 76ers officially announced that the team has officially signed a 10-day short contract with free agent Willie Cowley Stein, and the 28-year-old Cowley Stein is 2 meters 13 meters tall and plays a center and is expected to play the role of Embiid's substitute. The Philadelphia media said for the first time that Cauley-Stein was a perfect match for Harden.
In the 2015 Draft, Cauley-Stein was selected with the 6th pick in the first round, playing 420 games for the Kings, Warriors and Mavericks, including 255 starts. So far in his career, he has averaged 22.1 minutes per game, contributed 8.8 points and 5.9 rebounds, and shot 54.4% from the field. He will wear the number 00 shirt back to the 76ers, after wearing the number 00 for the Kings, the Number 2 for the Warriors and the Number 33 for the Lone Ranger.
Cauley-Stein has a good defensive ability, playing for 3 seasons at the University of Kentucky before entering the NBA and being named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in his junior year. That season, he was also named to the All-American First Team and the All-Defensive Team. During his college career, Cauley-Stein has blocked 233 times, and he is the only player in Kentucky history to contribute at least 500 rebounds, 200 blocks and 100 steals.
Playing for the 76ers, Cauley-Stein is expected to play his best in the same time as Harden, eating cakes, blocks and grabbing rebounds. Philadelphia media believe that Cauley-Stein is better suited to Harden than Reed and Millsap, and can also pose a greater threat. Reid is too young and Millsap is too old, and if Cowley-Stein can play, he is expected to stay in the team for a long time.
Cowley Stein is expected to make his 76ers career debut against the Timberwolves on Saturday, and that day will also be Harden's 76ers debut.