NBA: 10 candidates for bounce-back seasons in 2017-18

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6. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope may have shot a career-high 35 percent from 3-point range last year and his perimeter defense is as stout as ever, but in his fourth NBA season, his numbers took a hit in most major categories.

In his final season with the Detroit Pistons, KCP’s numbers dropped from 14.5 points and 3.7 rebounds per game on .420/.309/.811 shooting splits the year before to 13.8 points and 3.3 rebounds per game on .399/.350/.832 shooting.

His 3-point percentage was nowhere near high enough to qualify as a 3-and-D player, and his sub-40 percent shooting from the field was downright worrisome. On a one-year, $18 million contract that amounts to a “prove it” deal, Caldwell-Pope will be auditioning not only for the Los Angeles Lakers as a backup free agency option, but the rest of the league as well.

With Lonzo Ball looking to set his teammates up and the Lakers in need of both 3-point marksmanship and defense, there’s a very good chance KCP enjoys the breakout and bounce-back season Pistons fans had been waiting on.