NBA Rumors: Ex-Laker Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Considered by Clippers, Grizzlies
Free-agent shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has received interest from the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies, among other teams, according to Chris Haynes of ESPN.com and Michael Scotto of The Athletic.
Per Haynes, Caldwell-Pope has a meeting set up with the Clippers for July 2.
Caldwell-Pope, 25, averaged 13.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per game for the Los Angeles Lakers last season.
For teams seeking a solid on-ball defender and perimeter shooter (38.3 percent from three this past season) in free agency, Caldwell-Pope will check off those boxes.
The market has already been kind to wings, with Paul George returning to Oklahoma City on a four-year, $137 million deal, Trevor Ariza signing a one-year, $15 million contract in Phoenix, Will Barton inking a four-year, $54 million extension in Denver, Joe Harris remaining in Brooklyn on a two-year, $16 million deal and Marco Belinelli returning to San Antonio on a two-year, $12 million pact, according to USA Today.
With a limited number of teams having cap space this offseason, however, Caldwell-Pope could be looking at a deal similar to Ariza's. Last year, he joined the Lakers on a one-year, $17.7 million agreement, per Spotrac. Another short-term contract may be on the table for Caldwell-Pope this summer, unless he's seeking more long-term security.
He's one of the most intriguing two-way perimeter players left on the market. Other notable 2-guards and wings remaining in free agency include Zach LaVine, JJ Redick, Avery Bradley, Tyreke Evans, Lance Stephenson, Wayne Ellington, Rodney Hood and Seth Curry.
