Cardwell sprained his left ankle at Tuesday's practice and will be re-evaluated in four weeks, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.

EDGE Analysis

The timing is unfortunate for the rookie with Domantas Sabonis (knee) set to miss the remainder of the season. Based on this timetable, the earliest possible return for Cardwell is March 19. The rookie has been a bright spot for the team, posting 5.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 21.2 minutes across 29 appearances. Maxime Raynaud should step into a starting role until Cardwell is cleared to play again.

Cardwell closed Monday's 120-94 loss to the Pelicans with six points (3-5 FG), 11 rebounds, one assist, two blocks and two steals in 32 minutes off the bench.

EDGE Analysis

The Kings were down by 15 at halftime and gave younger players like Caldwell plenty of run in the rout. The undrafted rookie center responded to the big workload by pulling down double-digit rebounds for a fourth straight game, a stretch in which he's averaging 9.3 points, 11.8 boards, 1.8 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steals in 28.5 minutes. Domantas Sabonis (back) has been on the shelf for three of those contests, but even once he's healthy, Sacramento seems likely to prioritize the development of youngsters like Caldwell given the team's league-worst 12-43 record.

Cardwell is set to sign a four-year deal with the Kings on Thursday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Kings will convert Cardwell from a two-way deal to a four-year pact with the first two years being fully guaranteed. Cardwell has been playing well over the past eight games, churning out late-round value behind averages of 4.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.1 swats per contest.

Cardwell logged five points (1-2 FG, 3-4 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist and one block across 26 minutes during Wednesday's 129-125 loss to Memphis.

EDGE Analysis

Cardwell pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds, adding at least one block for the 10th straight game. Since entering the rotation, Cardwell has at least provided Sacramento with some much-needed energy, often resulting in borderline 12-team value. In seven games over the past two weeks, he has averaged 4.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.9 blocks, putting him firmly on the streaming radar.

Cardwell supplied four points (2-3 FG), 10 rebounds and two blocks across 22 minutes off the bench during Tuesday's 103-87 loss to New York.

EDGE Analysis

The 24-year-old rookie crashed the glass once again, recording 10-plus rebounds for the fourth time in the last six games. Cardwell has also racked up multiple blocks in five straight games. He hasn't offered much offense for the Kings, but his work on the glass and at the rim should ensure a consistent role in the frontcourt rotation, even with Domantas Sabonis finally looking 100 percent healthy. Over that six-game stretch, Cardwell is averaging 5.7 points, 9.5 boards, 2.2 blocks, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals in 24.0 minutes.

Cardwell registered two points (1-2 FG), 13 rebounds, three assists, four blocks and one steal over 25 minutes during Wednesday's 122-109 loss to Toronto.

EDGE Analysis

Cardwell has been a force on the boards recently, recording double-digit rebounds for the third straight game Wednesday. He led the team with 13 rebounds while swatting four shots and a steal, marking his ninth game with at least one block and one steal. The rookie big man has logged at least 20 minutes in 11 of his past 14 outings and is one of just three players this season to average at least seven rebounds per game while playing under than 20 minutes per contest, along with Mitchell Robinson and Andre Drummond.

Cardwell recorded 12 points (5-8 FG, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal across 26 minutes before fouling out of Sunday's 117-110 loss to the Trail Blazers.

EDGE Analysis

Cardwell collected his first double-double of the 2025-26 campaign and saw plenty of chances with the Kings still working Domantas Sabonis back from a knee injury. This marks Cardwell's second time this year that he's reached double-digit rebounds and his third time scoring 10-plus points, though these chances are expected to dwindle once Sabonis begins to ramp up his workload.

Cardwell ended Sunday's 111-98 win over the Rockets with nine points (4-11 FG, 1-4 FT), 11 rebounds and one assist across 19 minutes.

EDGE Analysis

Despite coming off the bench, the rookie big man flirted with what could've been his first career double-double. The door remains open for Caldwell to play meaningful minutes, with Domantas Sabonis (knee) still out, but Caldwell also has Precious Achiuwa and Drew Eubanks as competitors for playing time behind Maxime Raynaud.

Cardwell closed with seven points (3-4 FG, 1-3 FT), seven rebounds and three steals in 24 minutes during Sunday's 125-101 loss to the Lakers.

EDGE Analysis

With Domantas Sabonis (knee) on the shelf indefinitely, Cardwell has emerged as a quality low-end pickup in fantasy hoops. Over his last six games, he's averaging 5.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.2 blocks in 21.5 minutes per contest.

Cardwell logged four points (1-3 FG, 2-6 FT), eight rebounds, five blocks and one steal over 21 minutes during the Kings' 98-93 loss to the Trail Blazers on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

The undrafted rookie played a season-high 21 minutes during Saturday's loss, notably ahead of Precious Achiuwa (10) despite the latter starting. Cardwell has accumulated eight blocks over his last two NBA outings and appears to be solidifying himself as the Kings' backup center behind Maxime Raynaud. That trend could continue into the new year, at least for as long as Domantas Sabonis (knee) is sidelined.