Kentavious Caldwell-Pope agrees to leave Memphis and prepares to join LeBron in Philadelphia
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is expected to continue his career with the Philadelphia 76ers after reaching an agreement with the Memphis Grizzlies to terminate the final year of his contract. According to an ESPN report, the 33-year-old guard plans to sign a one-year contract worth 3.9 million dollars as soon as he clears waivers and becomes a free agent. Philadelphia would thereby add another experienced basketball player with championship titles and a large number of playoff appearances, while Caldwell-Pope would once again find himself on the same team as LeBron James. The two won the championship together with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, in a season completed in an isolated complex in Florida because of the pandemic. The deal has not yet been formally completed, so Caldwell-Pope cannot currently be considered an official member of the 76ers.
The veteran's arrival is part of an extremely active summer for Philadelphia, which has changed the appearance of the team in a short period and assembled a core with extensive experience, but also high expectations. James announced on July 24, 2026, that he was joining the 76ers, while at the beginning of the month the club acquired Jaylen Brown from Boston in a trade for Paul George and a package of future draft picks. Alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and V. J. Edgecombe, Philadelphia is therefore building a roster that should compete for the top of the Eastern Conference. Caldwell-Pope is not a high-profile addition on the level of James or Brown, but his profile suits a team that, alongside major ball-dominant players, will need defense, discipline and shooting without holding possession for long.
Buyout agreed after exercising lucrative option
Caldwell-Pope exercised a player option worth 21.6 million dollars for the 2026/27 season in June, but Memphis and the experienced guard then moved toward a mutual contract termination. ESPN reported on July 25 that the buyout had been agreed and that the player intended to sign with Philadelphia after clearing waivers. The exact financial amount Caldwell-Pope gave up in negotiations with the Grizzlies has not been publicly disclosed. In NBA practice, such an agreement allows a club to end its relationship with a player who is no longer part of its long-term plan, while the veteran gains the opportunity to choose a team in which he sees a better competitive role.
The procedure nevertheless requires several steps. After the official release, the other NBA teams have a prescribed period during which they can claim his existing contract, although such a scenario is unlikely because of the high value of the option he previously exercised. If no one claims him, Caldwell-Pope becomes a free agent and can sign a new contract. Only then can Philadelphia officially announce his arrival, provided that it first creates the necessary roster space and aligns the transaction with salary rules.
For the 76ers, a 3.9 million dollar contract represents relatively limited risk in relation to Caldwell-Pope's experience. On the other hand, for the player it represents a significant drop compared with the guaranteed salary from the contract he signed with the Orlando Magic in 2024. His choice of Philadelphia can therefore be viewed primarily as a sporting decision: joining a team with several All-Star-caliber players, a realistic opportunity to compete for a championship and a return to an environment with LeBron James, whose style of play he knows well.
Reunion of members of the championship Lakers
James and Caldwell-Pope were teammates with the Lakers from 2018 to 2021. During the 2020 championship run, Caldwell-Pope had an important role on the perimeter, particularly in defending opposing guards and wings and as a shooter who spaced the floor around James and Anthony Davis. According to Basketball Reference data, he averaged 10.7 points and made 37.8 percent of his three-point attempts during that season's playoffs, while appearing in all 21 Lakers games. His value did not come from a large number of plays designed for him, but from his ability to remain useful without the ball and take on demanding defensive assignments.
That type of profile still makes sense alongside James, although Caldwell-Pope is now older and has two weaker shooting seasons behind him. Throughout his career, James has functioned best alongside perimeter players who make quick decisions, cut behind the defense and punish help toward the paint. Philadelphia already has Maxey and Brown as strong offensive options, while Embiid attracts additional attention in the middle. Caldwell-Pope therefore would not have to create offense off the dribble; he would be expected to guard dangerous perimeter players, run in transition and make the open shots created by the stars around him.
The reunion with James also carries an element of trust. On a team with many new faces and limited time to build chemistry, head coach Nick Nurse can benefit from a player who already understands the demands of playing alongside the leading scorer in NBA history. Caldwell-Pope is accustomed to a role in which the number of his shots varies from game to game, but his defensive intensity and off-ball movement must remain constant. On a team with high ambitions, precisely that kind of reliability often determines whether a veteran will receive regular minutes in closing lineups and the playoffs.
Weaker season in Memphis and finger surgery
Caldwell-Pope played 51 games for Memphis in the 2025/26 season, starting 14 of them. He averaged 8.4 points, 2.7 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 0.8 steals in 21.3 minutes, according to Basketball Reference data. He shot 41 percent from the field and 31.6 percent from three-point range, his weakest performance from behind the three-point line since the 2015/16 season. At the same time, he made 91.3 percent of his free throws, but on a small number of attempts. The numbers confirm that he did not arrive in Memphis as a primary scorer, but the decline in his outside shooting was particularly noticeable because a large part of his offensive value depends precisely on that skill.
His season ended early because of an issue with his right little finger. The Grizzlies announced in February that Caldwell-Pope had undergone surgery because of the improper positioning of the finger and would miss the remainder of the season. The club stated at the time that he was expected to make a full recovery before the start of the 2026/27 season. Despite that prognosis, Philadelphia will have to examine his health when completing the deal and assess how quickly he can return to a full training rhythm.
The decline in shooting percentages cannot be completely ignored. ESPN states that Caldwell-Pope made at least 39 percent of his three-pointers in every season from 2020 to 2024, while he has not exceeded 34.2 percent in the past two. He made 34.2 percent of his three-point shots with Orlando in 2024/25, and that figure fell to 31.6 percent in Memphis. The key question for Philadelphia is therefore whether he can approach the level he had in Denver, where he made more than 40 percent of his outside attempts in both regular seasons. If his shooting stabilizes, the 3.9 million dollar contract could become one of the more cost-effective veteran deals of the summer; if the decline continues, his playing time will depend almost exclusively on his defense.
Two championships and experience in a clearly defined role
Caldwell-Pope has been in the NBA since 2013, when the Detroit Pistons selected him with the eighth pick in the draft. During his career, he has played for Detroit, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Washington Wizards, the Denver Nuggets, the Orlando Magic and the Memphis Grizzlies. He won two championships, with the Lakers in 2020 and the Nuggets in 2023, and was an important member of the perimeter unit on both teams. For Denver, he started 76 games during the 2022/23 championship season, made 42.3 percent of his three-pointers in the regular season and maintained a stable role throughout the playoffs.
His career demonstrates why teams with major ambitions still consider him useful. Caldwell-Pope can defend both guard positions and, in certain lineups, smaller wings as well. He does not need a large number of touches on offense, which makes it easier to construct lineups around dominant creators. He also has experience playing under pressure, in long playoff series and in closing situations in which one incorrect rotation or one missed open shot can decide a season.
However, Philadelphia is not acquiring the 2020 or 2023 version of the player, but a veteran entering his 14th NBA season and returning after surgery. Realistic expectations should be focused on quality minutes off the bench, occasional starts and the possibility of closing games when an additional defensive player is needed. His reputation gives him an initial advantage, but to secure a permanent place in the rotation he will have to prove again that he can make enough open three-pointers and withstand the defensive pace against younger, faster guards.
What his job in the 76ers' rotation could look like
Philadelphia's official roster for the 2026/27 season already includes a large number of players at the perimeter positions. Alongside Maxey, Brown and Edgecombe, the club has Anfernee Simons, Justin Edwards, Dalen Terry, Rayan Rupert, Caleb Love and rookie Labaron Philon. Because of such competition, Caldwell-Pope's path to playing time will not be automatic, even with two championship rings. His greatest advantage is the specific combination of defense, experience and willingness to play without the ball, while some other guards and wings are more pronounced creators or scorers.
In starting lineups, he could be used as the defender of the opposing team's best guard, allowing Maxey and James to preserve energy for offense. In bench units, he could play alongside Simons, who is a greater offensive threat with the ball but whose primary value is not defense. Alongside Embiid, Caldwell-Pope would receive open shots after double-teams in the post, and alongside James he would get opportunities following drives and kick-out passes. In transition, he is still capable of running toward the corners or finishing a play before the defense gets set.
Nurse will also have to manage the age and health status of several key players. James will turn 42 in December, while Embiid's availability has often affected the rhythm of the entire team in recent seasons. For that reason, depth is not merely a matter of luxury, but insurance for a long 82-game season. Caldwell-Pope can help precisely as a player who understands different roles and does not require the system to adapt to him, but his actual value will depend on his physical condition and the return of a reliable shot.
Philadelphia continues aggressive reconstruction of the team
Caldwell-Pope's expected arrival cannot be viewed separately from the 76ers' broader plan. On July 6, the club officially announced a trade in which Jaylen Brown arrived from the Boston Celtics, while Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks went in the opposite direction. Philadelphia also acquired Anfernee Simons, Dean Wade and Ariel Hukporti, and then secured an agreement with James. It represents a clear turn toward the present: management is investing money and future draft capital to increase the chances of winning a championship while Embiid, Brown, James and Maxey are still capable of carrying the team.
Philadelphia has not won an NBA championship since 1983 and last played in the league finals in 2001. In recent seasons, the team has regularly reached the playoffs but has failed to advance beyond the second round. The arrivals of James and Brown, while retaining Embiid and Maxey, therefore create pressure to achieve results immediately. In such an environment, veterans such as Caldwell-Pope often become more important because they know how much rotations tighten in the playoffs and how strongly details determine the outcome of a series.
Salary restrictions could prompt additional moves
The biggest obstacle to the formal signing is not sporting, but administrative and financial. After a series of summer deals, Philadelphia is close to the thresholds that, under the collective bargaining agreement, restrict spending and transaction possibilities. Analyses by the specialized outlet Liberty Ballers state that, to register an additional standard contract, the club will probably have to free up a roster spot and some room below the so-called first luxury-tax apron. Players with non-guaranteed or partially guaranteed contracts have been mentioned in the media as possible candidates, but as of July 26 the club had not officially confirmed which move it would make.
That means Caldwell-Pope's arrival could trigger another change in the rotation. Philadelphia can waive one or more players, attempt to arrange a trade or structure the order of transactions differently. In such circumstances, every dollar matters because crossing certain thresholds brings stricter restrictions on trades, the use of exceptions and future roster construction. Management must therefore balance the short-term benefit of an experienced guard with the need to retain sufficient depth and flexibility during the season.
What comes next before official confirmation
At the time the available information was published, Caldwell-Pope had agreed to a buyout with Memphis and intended to sign with Philadelphia, but completion of the deal depends on clearing waivers and the 76ers' moves. Once he becomes a free agent, the standard contract-signing and medical-examination procedure is expected. The club can then officially confirm the duration and terms of the cooperation, although teams sometimes do not disclose all financial details. Until then, the statement that he will join the 76ers remains based on reports from ESPN and other American media rather than a final announcement from the club.
For Memphis, this ends a brief period of cooperation with the veteran, who arrived in June 2025 in a major trade with Orlando for Desmond Bane. Along with Caldwell-Pope, the Grizzlies received Cole Anthony, four future first-round picks and the right to swap one pick. One year later, the club decided to part ways with the experienced guard after a season marked by weaker results, a reduced role and finger surgery. The buyout opens his path toward a team with significantly different short-term goals.
If the signing is completed, Philadelphia will acquire a player with 963 regular-season games and 67 playoff appearances, according to Basketball Reference data. Caldwell-Pope will not be among the biggest names on the new team, but he can become an important part of its functionality. His task will be simple to describe but demanding to execute: defend the best perimeter scorers, move without the ball, make open three-pointers and remain ready when the rotation shortens. It is precisely through those details that Philadelphia is trying to turn a spectacular summer into a team capable of making a serious run at the championship.
Sources:
- ESPN – report on the agreement between Caldwell-Pope and Memphis, the planned one-year contract with Philadelphia and the procedure after waivers (link)
- NBA.com – official announcement of LeBron James's decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers (link)
- Philadelphia 76ers / NBA.com – official announcement of the trade for Jaylen Brown and the terms of the deal with the Boston Celtics (link)
- Memphis Grizzlies / NBA.com – medical announcement on surgery to the right little finger and the expected recovery before the 2026/27 season (link)
- Memphis Grizzlies / NBA.com – official announcement of the 2025 trade through which Caldwell-Pope arrived from Orlando (link)
- Basketball Reference – Caldwell-Pope's statistics in the 2025/26 season, career performance and number of playoff appearances (link)
- Liberty Ballers – analysis of possible 76ers moves to align the roster and salary restrictions (link)