NBA Free Agency: Ranking Possible Destinations for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Veteran player, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was one of the few players who surprised everyone last season. He turned from not able to shoot against the Portland Trail Blazers, to becoming an integral part in bringing the Los Angeles Lakers another championship.

However, it looks like he won’t be sticking around to defend the title with the Lakers. According to Shams Charania from ‘The Athletic’, “Caldwell-Pope is expected to decline his $8.5 million player option, sources said.”

And as of now, the team that has come up that wants to land KCP is the Atlanta Hawks. “There’s significant mutual interest between Caldwell-Pope and the Lakers, but there will be some external suitors.

“A team such as Atlanta — searching for productive veterans around All-Star Trae Young — could emerge with interest,” wrote Shams Charania.

The Hawks are a young team with a lot of potential. They have a very interesting guard with them, Trae Young. However, he might be incredible on the offensive end but is one of the worst defenders in the league.

Thus, KCP could fit into the role of point while Young is on the other end.

Other teams that might want Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

A team like the Minnesota Timberwolves, who aren’t bonafide championship-contenders, might want the veteran guard. They have the cap space to pay KCP around $10 million for 3 seasons. This is the best deal he could get in the open market after his playoff run.

It makes sense because they have 2 young players like D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns, and they need a third-best player to get them a little ahead in the contention at least.

However, if there is a contending team that KCP should go to, it’s the Toronto Raptors. They are one of the very few teams that tick all the boxes to sign Kentavious. The Raptors could use more depth in their backcourt. They have Fred VanVleet and Kyle Lowry, but they are still lacking.

The Raptors also have enough cap space to get a long-term deal with KCP. Even if they have to work out another deal for VanVleet, they should still have enough to bring Pope in.

Where do you think is the perfect landing spot for KCP?