Los Angeles Lakers: 5 players with the most to prove in 2017-18

3. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was the Lakers’ lone big-name free agency addition of 2017. In most cases that player would have plenty to prove in a new environment (especially when making $18 million), but I don’t think that’s quite the case.

Sure, KCP has to prove he deserves that type of money. He also needs to convince fans he can help this Lakers team stay relevant as they head towards a potential turning point in the franchise’s history next offseason. However, in the end, he mainly has to prove to other teams that he’ll be worth an even larger investment next year.

More than likely, this will be Caldwell-Pope’s first and only year in Los Angeles. The Lakers dumped the rest of their cap space into his pocket as a way of keeping fans interested and making this team look like an intriguing landing spot for 2018 free agents. Chances are he won’t be re-signed next offseason, so there’s only so much he needs to prove to Magic and co.

That’s why Caldwell-Pope finds himself at No. 3 on this list. If the Lakers had signed him to a long-term deal, it would be a different story.

You don’t make that much money without carrying some significant expectations. Fans will want to see the best from the elite 3-and-D player throughout the 2017-18 campaign. If he disappoints, you better believe potential suitors will be wary when free agency rolls back around.