Larry Bird to Willie Cauley-Stein: 'You're a $100 million player'

Before he logs his first NBA minute or dons a professional jersey for the first time, former University of Kentucky star Willie Cauley-Stein has already garnered high praise -- from a legend of the game, nonetheless.

Cauley-Stein told IndyStar Pacers Insider Candace Buckner that three-time NBA champion and current Indiana Pacers President Larry Bird said the former UK standout is "a $100 million player."

His body of work at UK was strong enough to keep him out of the NBA Draft Combine last week, but Cauley-Stein attended and met with representatives from each team, resulting in Bird's comment.

From Buckner:

• Cauley-Stein on his meeting with the Pacers: "Larry (Bird) told me, 'I think you're a $100 million dollar player.' I hear that and I'm like, 'Really?!' "

• Cauley-Stein said that he will have a workout with the Pacers in the near future.

• Cauley-Stein on Pacers: "They see me as a player in the five position and put Paul (George) at the four. Now I'll have a mismatch."

ESPN's Chad Ford currently ranks Cauley-Stein No. 8 on his NBA Draft big board, and although the Pacers are slated to pick 11th on June 25 (with 0.7 percent chance of ending up with the No. 1 pick), a trade is certainly possible.

Even if the Pacers do end up selecting the ex-Cat, it'll be long before he accrues $100 million. Top-10 picks make roughly $2-$4.5 million in their first season, with the No. 1 overall pick bringing in $4,592,200 in the first year with a percentage increase for three seasons. If Cauley-Stein is drafted 8th, as some project, he'll be paid $2,288,200 in his rookie season, $2,391,200 the next and $2,494,200 in his third year.