Sources: KCP to join 76ers after Grizzlies buyout
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- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope agreed to a buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies and plans to sign a one-year, $3.9 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers after clearing waivers, sources told ESPN.
- Rich Paul, Klutch Sports CEO and Caldwell-Pope's agent, finalized the buyout with the Grizzlies on Saturday, giving Philadelphia a veteran wing defender just one day after the team signed LeBron James.
- Caldwell-Pope is a two-time NBA champion — part of the Lakers' 2020 title run alongside James in the bubble, then a 2023 champion with the Denver Nuggets.
- The 33-year-old had surgery in February to correct a misalignment of his right pinkie finger and missed the final 31 games of the season; before the injury he averaged 8.4 points, 2.7 assists, and 2.5 rebounds over 21.3 minutes in 51 games — his fewest minutes and points per game since his rookie year.
- After shooting at least 39% from three-point range every year from 2020 to 2024, Caldolph-Pope hasn't been better than 34.2% from distance over the past two seasons.
Why it matters: Philadelphia lands a two-time champion wing at a modest $3.9 million the day after signing LeBron James, reuniting the 2020 Lakers title duo. But KCP's three-point shooting has dropped from 39%+ down to under 34.2% the past two seasons — the '3-and-D' reputation that justifies his fit now comes with a concrete performance question. Memphis clears a roster spot heading into free agency.
