With all eyes on LeBron James, it can be easy to overlook who else is on the free agent market this summer. With the entire league currently held up, many talented players are still waiting to sign their next contract.
While NBA veteran Kentavious Caldwell-Pope recently opted in to his $21.6 million player option, he’s still someone who could be moved before the start of the season. According to the latest intel out of Memphis, Pope is nearing a buyout agreement with the Grizzlies that could make him the league’s newest free agent. Interestingly, he’s being tied to his former teammate LeBron James, who has yet to decide where he’ll play next.
“Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a likely buyout candidate from the Grizzlies,” reported NBA insider Evan Sidery. “With Memphis currently well over the roster limit, Caldwell-Pope is expected to be approached for a buyout soon. KCP, who is repped by Klutch Sports, could end up following LeBron James to his next team.”
With James set to switch teams for the first time since becoming a Laker, some may never get the chance to play with him again. Where he goes next will be where his career ends, and there’s been talk about taking some of his former teammates with him to his final stop.
James and Pope were teammates for four seasons on the Lakers, winning a championship in the 2020 bubble. Pope wasn’t a star-level player by any means, but he played his role to perfection as a perimeter guard who could contest shots and make threes. While streaky at times, he was a reliable contributor for the Lakers and a valuable teammate for LeBron. Pope left in 2021, and he hasn’t looked back since, but his future is now in doubt after showing signs of physical decline over the years.
As it stands, Pope doesn’t fit well on a rebuilding Grizzlies team, so why not reunite with the same guy who led him to a championship? At 33, with averages of 8.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game on 41.0% shooting and 31.6% shooting from three last season, KCP can still make an impact on the court, and his championship experience means that he already knows what it takes to win.
If he signs for the veteran minimum, it would be a great addition for the team that lands LeBron, which will likely be the Heat or Cavaliers. With James and a veteran sharpshooter to join him, either team could run the East and make a push for the NBA Finals. For Pope, it would be an opportunity to revitalize his career and compete for one last championship.
But even if he doesn’t follow LeBron, KCP can still find a more favorable situation than Memphis. As an experienced guard who plays both ends of the floor, he can fit on any win-now roster, and he likely won’t ask for more than a minimum deal. For any smart team, giving Pope a call will be part of the plan this summer, but he must first find his way out of his current situation.
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