Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Orlando Magic guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (personal) is out for Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The 31-year-old has struggled in his first 16 games with the Magic, averaging only 6.9 points and shooting 22.9% from deep. Still, he should break out of his funk at some point. With that in mind, KCP's next chance to play will be on Saturday versus the visiting Pistons. In the meantime, Gary Harris or Anthony Black may slide into the starting lineup. However, Black is a safer fantasy option on Thursday night, regardless of his role.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope may be on the Magic and 76er's radars. But first, he must decline his $15.4 million player option. TNT's Chris Haynes reported that KCP might decline his player option if he doesn't reach an extension agreement with the Nuggets before the deadline. However, even if he reaches unrestricted free agency, both sides could still work things out, although Philadelphia and Orlando have the cap space needed to make an enticing offer. The 31-year-old has played in Denver for the last two seasons, appearing in 76 games in each of them. He finished the 2023-24 campaign by averaging 10.1 points and shooting 40.6% from behind the arc. Caldwell-Pope will likely remain a starter wherever he ends up moving ahead, which isn't bad for fantasy purposes, even if he's not the most consistent producer.

According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will likely decline his player option if he doesn't agree on a contract extension with his current team. Haynes added that even if KCP declines, that doesn't necessarily mean he'll leave Denver. However, Caldwell-Pope will have a "plethora of teams at his doorstop" if he hits the open market. The 31-year-old has spent the last two seasons with the Nuggets, where he has been instrumental in the team's success. He finished the 2023-24 campaign by averaging 10.1 points and 1.3 steals while shooting 40.6% from behind the arc. With that said, if Caldwell-Pope stays in Denver, he'll have to fight with Nikola Jokic and the rest of the starters for scoring chances. Yet, if he lands on a new team for the 2024-25 season, his production could increase.

Denver Nuggets guard/forward Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has had two solid years with the team but might land elsewhere for the 2024-25 campaign. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Nuggets are "concerned" that Caldwell-Pope will decline his $15.44 million player option and enter unrestricted free agency. It is believed that the two-time NBA champion could attract a similar deal to the one Bruce Brown signed with Indiana last summer when he left Denver on a two-year, $45 million contract. Caldwell-Pope, who turned 31 in February, posted 10.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists with 40.6 percent three-point shooting in 2023-24.

According to Evan Sidery of Forbes, the Nuggets may be unable to re-sign guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. While Denver would like to keep him on the roster, some project a deal that could exceed $20 million per year, something the Nuggets may not entertain due to tax purposes. The 31-year-old suited up for the Pistons, Lakers, and Wizards before landing in Denver, where he's played arguably the best basketball of his career. With that in mind, Caldwell-Pope hasn't been a consistently reliable fantasy option, although his durability gives him value in any format.