Dylan Cardwell isn’t afraid to get physical — or to crack a joke about it.
When a reporter asked the Kings rookie if he was willing to take on the role of enforcer — a question sparked by Zach LaVine’s recent praise — Cardwell didn’t hesitate.
“I love Zach [LaVine] to death,” Cardwell said. “And if anybody fouls him this year, as long as Zach covers my fine, I will go to bat for Zach.”
Dylan Cardwell said he “enjoys physicality” and credited his SEC experience for that mentality.
And he’ll be an enforcer for his teammates too.
“I love Zach [LaVine] to death, and if anybody fouls him this year, as long as Zach covers my fine, I will go to bat for Zach.” pic.twitter.com/8w3sgv0RCl
— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) October 9, 2025
The line drew laughs, but it also fit the 6-foot-11 center’s personality. Cardwell shared that toughness always has been part of his game, a trait built during his five seasons at Auburn under coach Bruce Pearl.
“I enjoy physicality. I came from the SEC — that’s where legends are made, you know what I’m saying, where legends are built,” Cardwell said. “If you’re not SEC-built, I can’t rock with you.”
He added that Pearl’s emphasis on intensity and defense prepared him for this next step in Sacramento.
“I’m just really physical, and that’s what Bruce [Pearl] at Auburn really preached there, so being here in Sacramento is the same thing — it’s an easy job for me.”
The 23-year-old signed a two-way contract with the Kings in July after going undrafted. Cardwell splits time between Sacramento and its G League affiliate, the Stockton Kings — bringing the same energy, humor and toughness wherever he plays.
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