Dylan Cardwell's Lingering Calf Issue Leaves Kings Frontcourt Dangerously Thin

The Sacramento Kings are currently running a social experiment to see how many centers they can break before the universe forces them to play a point guard in the post. The latest casualty is Dylan Cardwell, who was just downgraded to questionable for Monday night against the Dallas Mavericks with a lingering calf issue.

Underdog NBA reported the downgrade, which is a brutal update for a guy who was supposed to be the defensive anchor of Sacramento's second unit.

"Underdog NBA reported the downgrade to questionable on Monday."

Cardwell originally strained this left calf back in an October preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers. He was supposed to be the reliable backup this season, especially since fellow young big man Maxime Raynaud is also dealing with a knee injury.

When healthy, Cardwell is actually a massive problem for opposing offenses. The undrafted Auburn product earned a standard contract last year by averaging 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in just 20.6 minutes per game.

That kind of rim protection is exactly what you need when you are trying to survive the non-Domantas Sabonis minutes. Sabonis is a three-time All-Star, but he cannot play 48 minutes a night, and the defensive drop-off behind him right now is basically a cliff.

For anyone looking at the betting board, Cardwell's status is a massive swing factor for Monday. If he sits, the Mavericks' frontcourt is going to see zero resistance at the rim whenever the Sacramento starters take a breather.

We should get a final update closer to tip-off. Until then, Sacramento fans just have to hope their frontcourt stops treating the injury report like a sign-up sheet.