Two-time NBA champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has signed a three-year deal with the up-and-coming Eastern Conference team, the Orlando Magic.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on the news via Twitter/X.
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Caldwell-Pope’s third year in his three-year deal is a player option, according to Wojnarowski.
On Thursday, Caldwell-Pope declined his $15.4 million player option and decided to enter free agency as an unrestricted free agent. The Nuggets did their best to attempt to re-sign Caldwell-Pope; however, as expected, he attracted a sizeable market, and it became difficult to keep the Georgia native.
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After two seasons with one of the best teams in the NBA, the Denver Nuggets, Caldwell-Pope has decided to head back to the East Coast. Caldwell-Pope was vital to the Nuggets’ success, playing a big part in leading the team to a title in 2023 with his stellar defense and reliable shooting from beyond the arc, especially in the postseason.
The Magic will be Caldwell-Pope’s fifth team in the NBA after stints with the Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, and the Nuggets. The 3&D wing was traded to the Nuggets in 2022, which sent Monte Morris and Will Barton to the Wizards. The 31-year-old was a highly coveted free agent this offseason, and with money to spend, the Magic come out as big winners with this signing.
Caldwell-Pope spent two seasons with the Nuggets, where he secured a second title in 2023. As a Nugget, he averaged 10.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.4 steals, shooting 41.5% from 3-point range. The reliable shooter also received 11 NBA All-Defensive team votes last season after registering a defensive field goal percentage of 44 percent while taking on the assignment of guarding the team’s best player.
Overall, Caldwell-Pope has had one heck of a career, excluding his time with the Pistons to start his career. Like his role in Denver, Caldwell-Pope was vital for the Lakers in his four years there, as he proved defense and timely shooting to help L.A. bring home title No. 17 in 2020.
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The former Georgia Bulldog was the No. 8 overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft and has had a great career. Caldwell-Pope is a career 11.4 points per game scorer, 3.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and shoots 42.7 percent from the field and 36.9 percent from three in 835 games.
The Magic could be true contenders in the Eastern Conference with this addition.
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