NBA Rumors: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Magic Reach $66M Contract amid 76ers, Mavs Buzz

After choosing not to return to the Denver Nuggets this offseason, veteran shooting guard Kenatvious Caldwell-Pope has found a new home on the East Coast.

According to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today, Caldwell-Pope intends to sign with the Orlando Magic. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that he is finalizing a three-year, $66 million deal with the team.

The 31-year-old spent the last two seasons with the Nuggets and served in a key role as the team's best wing defender. Denver originally acquired him prior to the 2022-23 season as part of a four-player trade with the Washington Wizards and signed him to a two-year, $30.1 million extension upon landing him.

Caldwell-Pope declined the $15.4 million option on his contract for the 2024-25 season on Thursday to test free agency. Previous reports stated that he was drawing interest from teams like the Dallas Mavericks and Philadelphia 76ers, among others.

Caldwell-Pope provided energy on both ends of the floor for the Nuggets and started every game he played during their run to the 2023 NBA title, which was the first in franchise history and his second career championship ring.

This past season, Caldwell-Pope once again started all 76 of his appearances during the regular season and averaged 10.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He helped Denver make a run to the Western Conference semifinals, where they lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in seven games and fell short of their goal of repeating as champion.

The 11-year veteran began his career as the No. 8 pick in the 2013 draft by the Detroit Pistons. He also spent four seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers from 2017 to 2021, helping the team with an NBA title in 2020.

Caldwell-Pope is a solid addition for Orlando, which made the playoffs last season for the first time since 2020. His two-way production on the wing and veteran presence in the locker room will help the Magic.