2017 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: 1 year, $18 million (Los Angeles Lakers)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has agreed to a one-year, $18 million deal with the Lakers, sources tell ESPN.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) July 12, 2017
Ladies and gentlemen, the 2017 Los Angeles Lakers are finally on the board in free agency! Though no one should be surprised given the team’s lofty plans for 2018 NBA free agency, the Lakers have been quiet this summer, focusing more on Lonzo Ball’s future and less on bogging down next summer’s cap sheet.
To that end, landing the best available free agent on a one-year deal doesn’t have much of a downside…yet. Aside from being one of the best defensive 2-guards in the league — which addresses a serious need for last year’s 30th-ranked defense — Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is only 24 years old and averaged 13.8 points per game on 35 percent shooting from deep last year.
KCP will make the team more competitive next year, making it a more attractive destination for Paul George, LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and every other #FutrueLaker out there. And if those gaudy plans fall through, who knows? Maybe L.A. could re-sign him next year with the inside track. However, there’s also the worst-case scenario where the Lakers don’t land any big fish and regret not signing Caldwell-Pope to a longer deal with that young core….
Bourguet Grade: A-
HoopsHabit Grade: B+