Kentavious Caldwell-Pope won his first ring next to LeBron James, now he is headed to Philadelphia to try and do it again.
Caldwell-Pope and the Grizzlies are working out a buyout, and once the veteran wing clears waivers, he intends to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, reports NBA insider Chris Haynes.
KCP moving on from Memphis is not a surprise. He was brought in while the team still had Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. and was looking to win. With the Grizzlies pivoting to a youth movement — plus they are dealing with a roster crunch — it makes sense to buy out KCP, who is set to make $ 21.6 million this season. (KCP likely gives the Grizzlies a discount of exactly how much he can sign with the 76ers for.)
Caldwell-Pope was a key part of the Lakers’ title run in the bubble, and three years later became a starter for the Denver team that won a title behind Nikola Jokic.
However, the past couple of seasons his game has slipped. Last season in Memphis, he averaged just 8.4 points a game and shot 31.6% from 3-point range. He was out from February on after having surgery to adjust a misaligned pinky finger on his right hand.
Philadelphia has a little roster work to do to bring in LeBron and KCP, including clearing a roster spot or two. The 76ers are not far enough under their first-apron hard cap to sign the two veterans, even at the minimum, which means more roster moves are coming. Dalen Terry and his non-guaranteed contract are almost certain to be let go. Jabari Walker also has a non-guaranteed contract, but there are other moves the team could make to bring in the two veterans.
This is another loss for Miami, which had its eyes on KCP as well.
