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2017 NBA free agency grades: Los Angeles Lakers to sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

By Quentin Haynes

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 10: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #5 of the Detroit Pistons looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on January 10, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 10: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #5 of the Detroit Pistons looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on January 10, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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With their remaining cap space, the Los Angeles Lakers land the best player left on the market, filling a need at the shooting guard position.

The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t need to make a splash in free agency, but did anyway, landing the best player remaining on the market while also keeping flexibility for the summer of 2018.

According to ESPN‘s Brian Windhorst, the Los Angeles Lakers agreed to a one-year deal worth $18 million with guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Caldwell-Pope spent his entire four-year career with the Detroit Pistons and finished with 13.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game last season.

There’s no such thing as a bad one-year deal, but there is such a thing as a good one-year deal. This helps both the player and team, at least for this season.

After the acquisition of Avery Bradley, the Pistons, pressing up near the luxury tax, decided to renounce Caldwell-Pope’s rights, making him an unrestricted free agent. The thinking was that the Brooklyn Nets, a team clamoring for assets, would swoop in, but the Lakers had other ideas, landing the guard on a deal for next season.

With Los Angeles focusing on its youth movement, the one spot that was vacant was the shooting guard position. Jordan Clarkson is best as a backup combo guard, while rookie Josh Hart is best starting his career off the bench to cover up some of his early weaknesses. The addition of Caldwell-Pope gives the Lakers a starter entering the best years of his career. 

On the floor, Caldwell-Pope is an excellent complement to Lonzo Ball on the defensive side of the floor. KCP has a reputation of being a great defender. While that claim is a bit dubious when glancing at the defensive numbers (Detroit was six points better on defense with him on the bench), he’s been great at defending opposing point guards.

Having someone who can take those tougher guard assignments away from Ball will be great for the first season of his career.

On the other side, I’m curious to see how it works on the offensive end. Last season, Caldwell-Pope assumed a role as a playmaker and creator for Detroit, to fine results. The Pistons were better with Caldwell-Pope on the floor and his assist rate rose to 11 percent. The combination of Ball and Caldwell-Pope both being capable of creating could open up several shots for others.

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Ball was a great catch-and-shoot player during his freshman season at UCLA, while Caldwell-Pope shot 37 percent on catch-and-shoot threes last season. Not a great shooter from three, having someone who can create for him should only assist Caldwell-Pope in upping his percentages.

Off the floor, the Lakers kept their powder dry for next offseason, where the thoughts of landing both Paul George and LeBron James in free agency still run rampant. They also got a chance to see Caldwell-Pope live, just in case they want to keep him. Still just 24 years old, Caldwell-Pope has upside as an overall player and could be worth bringing back.

If Caldwell-Pope does have a great season and if the Lakers do miss out on Paul George and LeBron James, perhaps the Lakers could turn to Caldwell-Pope as a long-term option. With so few teams having cap space next season, Los Angeles could bring back Caldwell-Pope at a rate cheaper than the five-year, $80 million the Pistons offered last season.

The Los Angeles Lakers aren’t a true contender next season and they’ll lose their 2018 first round pick, putting them in a position to play for nothing but development. The addition of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope gives them another young player who they could see thrive in their offense and possibly become a part of the core for the long-term if Plan A fails next summer.

Next: 2017 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far

Grade: B+

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