Sources: Caldwell-Pope finalizing free-agent deal with Magic
Sources: Caldwell-Pope finalizing free-agent deal with Magic
ByABC News
June 30, 2024, 7:59 PM
Free agent Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is leaving the Denver Nuggets and finalizing a three-year, $66 million deal with the Orlando Magic, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Sunday.
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.
The Magic exceeded expectations this past season by winning 47 games, a 13-win improvement from 2022-23 and a 25-win jump from the 2021-22 season. They finished fifth in the Eastern Conference but lost to the Cavaliers in a seven-game, opening-round playoff series.
Caldwell-Pope's shooting should help Orlando make another jump in 2024-25. The Magic ranked 22nd in offensive efficiency and 24th in 3-point shooting this past regular season and were the only playoff team that ranked in the bottom 10 in shooting from 3-point range.
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.
Caldwell-Pope 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.
Caldwell-Pope has played 835 games since entering the NBA in 2013-14, most in the NBA during that span.
ESPN's Tim Bontemps and ESPN Stats & Information contributed to this report.