NBA Free Agency: Magic, 76ers Reportedly Have Eyes on Caldwell-Pope

Two NBA insiders are reporting that the Orlando Magic are interested in possible free agent Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The 6-foot-5 guard has shot better than 40 percent on his 3-point attempts in three of his past four seasons.

Nathaniel Marrero | Jun 23, 2024

Feb 9, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) passes the ball around Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) during the second quarter at Amway Center. / Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

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ORLANDO — Malik Monk plans to re-sign with the Sacramento Kings. Golden State Warriors sharpshooter Klay Thompson wants one year too many. These developments, Yahoo Sports and NBA insider Marc Stein report, could lead the Orlando Magic to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Yahoo reports that the distance between the Magic and Thompson on a potential deal could pave the way for Caldwell-Pope, a two-time NBA champion, to join the young franchise looking to build on a 47-win season and their first playoff appearance since 2020.

“Thompson is believed by league sources to want a deal of at least three seasons," Yahoo Sports reported Friday. "Therefore, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope would seem, at present, to be the veteran in line to benefit from the Magic’s cap space.”

Stein on Sunday wrote that the Magic and Philadelphia 76ers are reportedly considering an attempt to draw Caldwell-Pope in free agency. "Sources say Philadelphia and Orlando are weighing runs at Caldwell-Pope with their cap space if, as increasingly expected, he declines his $15.4 million player option with the Nuggets to enter free agency and field richer offers," Stein wrote.

Caldwell-Pope, 31, must decide on a player option by June 29. If he opts into the deal with Denver, he would make $15.44 million next season. If Caldwell-Pope opts out of his Denver contract, Orlando has the cap space to offer him more money.

Caldwell-Pope's ability to shoot from the outside and defend fit Orlando's priorities. The 6-foot-5 guard has shot better than 40 percent on his 3-point attempts in three of his last four years and he has averaged at least one steal per game in three consecutive seasons.

Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports also reported that the Magic has prioritized adding a player who can open up the court for Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner rather than one who would be a primary ball-handler.

“Orlando, sources said, indeed holds intentions of pursuing a veteran guard/wing who can space the floor around Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, without commanding too much on-ball oxygen,” Fischer writes.

Sometimes, the simple move is the best one a team can make. Caldwell-Pope isn't a flashy name, but he fits the Magic's needs and what they seek in a player with positional versatility who can defend.

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