Mavericks: Can Willie Cauley-Stein and Kristaps Porzingis co-exist?

Dallas Mavericks star Kristaps Porzingis and recent acquisition Willie Cauley-Stein give Coach Carlisle options. Can they co-exist on the court together?

The Dallas Mavericks are a lock to make the playoffs according to ESPN’s BPI. They haven’t taken a traditional path to get there, though. The Mavs have won just 13 of their 25 home games. On the road is where Dallas has dominated. The Mavericks have also taken some bad losses to teams sitting well-below .500.

Those are the growing pains of a young squad making their first playoff push. Their star play is only 20 years old. Luka Doncic continues to play his way into the MVP contention, but he’s surrounded by a core that lacks big-game experience. J.J. Barea is the only player on the roster that has been part of NBA championship team. He won with the Mavericks in 2011.

Injuries have forced the Mavs to shuffle things lately. Doncic suffered his second ankle injury at practice on Jan. 30. Fans are still waiting to hear the extent of his injury. Kristaps Porzingis missed ten games with a knee injury. Mavericks starting center Dwight Powell was lost for the season after rupturing his Achilles on Jan. 21.

To fill in the Mavs traded for Willie Cauley-Stein. It was a wise move as it only cost them a second round pick. He provides Coach Rick Carlisle with a big body capable of being a force in the paint.

Can Cauley-Stein and Porzingis co-exist on the court together? In his Mavericks debut, WCS played four meaningful minutes in the first quarter all while KP took his rest. Here is a look at the fit between the two players.

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