With Kentavious Caldwell-Pope being renounced and becoming unrestricted, here are five teams that could sign him in 2017 NBA free agency.
When the Detroit Pistons drafted Luke Kennard, it was to add three-point shooting. When they signed Langston Galloway to a three-year contract, it was a bargain deal for a two-way player who could also shoot.
But when Detroit agreed to trade for Avery Bradley on Friday, the writing on the wall for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was visible well beyond the confines of Motown.
Heading into the summer, all reports indicated the Pistons would match any offer sheets for their restricted free agent.
However, after hard-capping themselves with the Galloway agreement and only having $16.5 million left to potentially match offers following the Bradley trade, Detroit soon pulled the plug on the whole thing, as ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski reported:
Detroit is renouncing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 7, 2017
Now that he has been renounced, KCP is the top unrestricted free agent left on the market. Last season in the Motor City, the 24-year-old shooting guard averaged 13.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game while shooting a career-high 35 percent from three-point range.
His offensive efficiency still needs some work (39.9 percent shooting from the field overall), but his status as one of the league’s most tenacious and annoying perimeter defenders is unquestionable.
The real question is, which teams might sign him on the open market? Here’s a look at five possible free agency landing spots for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, including a few honorable mentions.
Honorable Mentions:
Chicago Bulls — They have the potential cap space, but with Dwyane Wade, Zach LaVine, Denzel Valentine, Justin Holiday and Jerian Grant, the 2-spot is more backed up than an airplane bathroom after the in-flight meal gave everyone food poisoning.
Orlando Magic — The Magic also have a friendly cap sheet to make something happen, but they’ve got enough good-but-not-great prospects to groom on the wing with Evan Fournier, Mario Hezonja and rookie Wesley Iwundu.
Sacramento Kings — KCP would be a nice addition to Sacramento’s young core, but the Kings already have Buddy Hield, Malachi Richardson and now Vince Carter at shooting guard.
Atlanta Hawks — The Hawks could’ve had up to $20 million in cap room if they renounced Tim Hardaway Jr. and let the New York Knicks keep him at that outrageous price, and Caldwell-Pope would be a great fit for their rebuild. However, they could still match for THJ and the recent Mike Muscala deal eats into that $20 million of space for KCP.
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