Dylan Cardwell Is Making His Case in Sacramento-And It’s Getting Harder to Ignore
The Sacramento Kings might be slogging through one of their roughest seasons in recent memory, but if there’s been a bright spot amid the 12-33 start, it’s the emergence of rookie big man Dylan Cardwell. And while the Beam hasn’t been lit as often as fans would like, Cardwell’s energy off the bench has been a spark in its own right.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just a feel-good story about a hustle player getting a few minutes. Cardwell is producing-and doing it in the areas Sacramento desperately needs help.
Defense. Rebounding.
Physicality. The Kings have struggled to establish a presence in the paint this season, but the 24-year-old rookie is doing his best to change that, one block and one board at a time.
Through 18 games, Cardwell is averaging 4.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in just under 19 minutes per game, while shooting a solid 53% from the field. But those numbers don’t tell the full story. Since being inserted more regularly into Doug Christie’s rotation following Domantas Sabonis’ knee injury, Cardwell has taken things up a notch.
Over the last nine games, he’s bumped his averages to 5.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per night-and he’s pulled down double-digit boards in each of Sacramento’s last three contests. That’s not just a hot stretch; that’s a young player finding his rhythm and making a legitimate impact.
Cardwell’s presence on the floor is impossible to miss. He celebrates blocks like they’re game-winners, crashes the glass with reckless abandon, and brings a level of intensity that’s become contagious. It’s no wonder Coach Christie has leaned on him more and more, especially when the team needs a jolt of defensive energy.
“We value what he does. Not everyone values what he does,” Christie said after a loss to the Toronto Raptors-a game in which Cardwell swatted four shots and grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds in 25 minutes.
“He’s extremely coachable, plays extremely hard, and has a level of physicality you don’t teach. You’re either about that life or you ain’t.”
That “about that life” mindset has become Cardwell’s calling card. And it’s not just talk. The undrafted rookie out of Auburn has now recorded 11 straight games with at least six rebounds, joining fellow rookie Maxime Raynaud as the first Kings rookie bigs since DeMarcus Cousins to hit that mark in 10 or more consecutive games.
His performance against Toronto also put him in rare company. Cardwell became just the fifth Kings rookie since the franchise moved to Sacramento in 1985 to post a game with at least 13 rebounds and four blocks.
The others? Lionel Simmons, Brian Grant, Michael Stewart, and Jason Thompson.
That’s not just a footnote-it’s a sign that Cardwell is doing things that don’t happen often, even in a franchise with a long line of promising bigs.
And if you ask him, he’s just grateful to be here.
“In college, I averaged 5 points per game, I rebounded the ball five times per game, and I averaged, like, [1.3] blocks per game,” Cardwell said. “No one thought I was an NBA player.
I’m not supposed to be here. I’m living my childhood dream.
This is a dream come true for me.”
That dream is starting to look more like reality, and it’s hard to imagine it ending anytime soon. With the trade deadline looming on February 5th, the Kings could be heading into a significant roster shake-up. Sabonis’ future in Sacramento is uncertain, and Christie’s late-game lineups have already reflected a shift in priorities.
In recent losses to Portland and Miami, Sabonis wasn’t on the floor to close games-logging just five second-half minutes against the Heat. Instead, it was Cardwell who got the nod, as Christie emphasized the need for defense. That same rationale kept All-Star guard Zach LaVine out of the closing lineup in that Miami game as well.
It’s a clear sign that the Kings are prioritizing effort, physicality, and defensive presence-qualities Cardwell brings in spades.
Whatever direction Sacramento takes at the deadline, Cardwell looks like a player who fits the vision of a team trying to rebuild the right way. He’s embraced the role, the grind, and the locker room culture.
“We might not be having a great season, but this is the best locker room I’ve really been a part of outside of my last year at Auburn,” Cardwell said. “I really appreciate being on this team and being in this locker room.”
There’s still a long road ahead for the Kings, but if they’re looking for foundational pieces to build around, Dylan Cardwell is doing everything he can to make that list. He’s not just surviving in the NBA-he’s earning his spot, one rebound, one block, and one celebration at a time.
Upcoming Kings Road Trip
Sacramento now hits the road for a six-game swing, starting Friday night in Cleveland. The Cavs swept the East last season with a 64-18 record, but the Kings took both matchups. Tip-off is set for 4:30 PM PT, with coverage beginning at 3:00 PM on Sactown Sports 1140 AM.
Upcoming Schedule:
- Friday, Jan 23 - @ Cleveland Cavaliers - 4:30 PM PT
- Sunday, Jan 25 - @ Detroit Pistons - 12:00 PM PT
- Tuesday, Jan 27 - @ New York Knicks - 4:30 PM PT
- Thursday, Jan 29 - @ Philadelphia 76ers - 4:00 PM PT
- Friday, Jan 30 - @ Boston Celtics - 4:30 PM PT
Buckle up, Kings fans. The rebuild may be bumpy, but players like Dylan Cardwell are giving reason to believe in what’s next.