NBA Rumors: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Mavs Mutually Interested in Free-Agent Contract

Coming off a terrific postseason run to the NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks are keeping an eye on Kentavious Caldwell-Pope going into free agency.

Per NBA insider Marc Stein, there is mutual interest between the Mavs and Caldwell-Pope, but it's complicated because Dallas could only add him via sign-and-trade with the Denver Nuggets:

"League sources say that there would be mutual interest in free agency between Caldwell-Pope and the Dallas Mavericks … but Dallas could only get into Caldwell-Pope's projected salary range via sign-and-trade. It is believed that the Nuggets do not want to participate in a sign-and-trade with an in-conference rival—Dallas just supplanted Denver as the NBA's reigning Western Conference champion—even if that means losing Caldwell-Pope without compensation."

The Athletic's Shams Charania and Tony Jones reported on Thursday that Caldwell-Pope declined his $15.4 million player option with the Nuggets.

Charania noted the 31-year-old is expected to receive interest from multiple teams with cap space.

Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth isn't ruling out bringing back Caldwell-Pope, but he didn't sound concerned if they lost him this offseason.

"I think when you look at some of the teams that have been good in the past, they have to find a way to replace fourth, fifth starters, sixth men off the bench and still keep rolling," Booth told reporters on Wednesday. "… I think if [Christian Braun] has to step into the starting lineup, I think we'll be OK, if KCP doesn't return."

Denver has been taking a mindful approach to its payroll already this offseason. Reggie Jackson, who has a $5.25 million salary next season, was traded with three unprotected second-round draft picks to the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Mavs can clear $7.3 million by getting rid of the non-guaranteed salaries for Dante Exum, A.J. Lawson and Jaden Hardy, but that only puts them roughly $10.3 million under the first apron.

Per ESPN's Bobby Marks, the Mavericks would be hard-capped at $178.7 million if they took back more money than they send out in a trade.

Dallas does have 13 players under contract for next season. Tim Hardaway Jr.'s $16.2 million expiring salary could be an enticing trade chip, though he would seem unlikely to be appealing to the Nuggets when he struggled to crack the Mavs' postseason rotation.

Caldwell-Pope has been one of the better role players in the NBA throughout his career. He has won titles with the Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers. The Georgia alum has averaged 10.7 points per game and shot 40.7 percent from three-point range in 365 games over the past five seasons.