Sources: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope finalizing deal with Magic
Sources: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope finalizing deal with Magic
ByABC News
June 30, 2024, 7:39 PM
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is leaving the Denver Nuggets and finalizing a three-year, $66 million with the Orlando Magic, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Caldwell-Pope, 31, had been a lynchpin at both ends for the Nuggets since arriving in Denver two years ago, helping them to the 2022-23 title with his 3-point shooting and ability to guard opposing perimeter stars.
In each of his two seasons in Denver, Caldwell-Pope -- a career 36.9% 3-point shooter -- has eclipsed 40% from deep while also playing in 76 games both years. As a defender, Caldwell-Pope allowed a league-best 40.6% field goal percentage as the closest defender last season, according to ESPN Stats & Information research, while frequently taking on the toughest assignment.
Since being selected eighth overall in the 2013 NBA draft, Caldwell-Pope spent four years each with the Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Lakers before playing a single season with the Washington Wizards, where he landed after being part of the trade that brought Russell Westbrook to the Lakers.
He was then traded to the Nuggets prior to the 2022-23 season, which finished with him claiming the second NBA championship of his 11-year NBA career.
ESPN's Tim Bontemps contributed to this report.