NBA Rumors: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Linked to 76ers, Pacers, Magic amid Mavs Buzz

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has reportedly drawn interest from several organizations in free agency, according to NBA reporter Mike Singer.

Per Singer, the Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Orlando Magic are among the teams that could lure him away from the Denver Nuggets as he searches for a "longer deal."

The Dallas Mavericks are also a threat to sign him, as NBA insider Marc Stein reported on Friday that "mutual interest" exists between Caldwell-Pope and the Mavericks. However, a sign-and-trade would be needed for Dallas to acquire him.

Caldwell-Pope is slated to become a free agent after declining his $15.4 million player option to return to the Nuggets on Thursday (h/t Shams Charania and Tony Jones of The Athletic). The 31-year-old spent the past two seasons of his career in Denver after the team acquired him in a 2022 trade with the Washington Wizards.

He served as a two-way floor-spacing option alongside Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray, helping the Nuggets earn a championship in 2023. Caldwell-Pope also started to become more of a threat with the ball in his hands last season, connecting on 45.1 percent of his 51 pull-up three-point attempts (via NBA.com).

His proven ability to stay effective as a starting-caliber player on a title-winning team is likely one of the many reasons why Eastern Conference playoff contenders such as the 76ers, Pacers, and Magic are interested in him.

Philadelphia and Orlando may not covet him at the outset of free agency, though. Per Charania, the 76ers and Magic are among the teams expected to meet with nine-time All-Star Paul George starting "late Sunday night" after the former Los Angeles Clippers forward declined his $48.7 million player option.

If both teams are prioritizing George in their free-agent plans, the Pacers and Mavericks could pursue Caldwell-Pope early and get a head start compared to Philadelphia and Orlando.