KCP Returns Home? NBA Trade Idea Sends Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Back to the Los Angeles Lakers

 

KCP Returns Home? NBA Trade Idea Sends Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Back to the Los Angeles Lakers

 

 

What if the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers revisited their past connection?

 

A potential trade idea could send Kentavious Caldwell-Pope back to the team that drafted him. Here’s the scenario:

Trade Details

– *KCP to Lakers*: The Lakers would reacquire Caldwell-Pope, bolstering their backcourt with his shooting and defensive prowess.
– *Grizzlies’ Gain*: Memphis would receive assets in return, potentially including draft picks or a young player to build for the future.

Why It Makes Sense

– Familiarity: Caldwell-Pope has already proven himself in a Lakers uniform, knowing the system and the city.

– Team Needs: The Lakers could use KCP’s skills to complement their young core, while the Grizzlies might prioritize rebuilding or acquiring assets.

Would It Happen?

While this trade idea is intriguing, would both teams be willing to make it happen? The potential benefits for both sides make it worth considering.

What do you think? Should KCP return to the Lakers?

 

In 2020, while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers on the Walt Disney World bubble, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was an integral part of the team’s NBA championship victory over the Miami Heat.

 

Like Lakers superstar LeBron James, he is represented by Klutch Sports Group’s Rich Paul. One NBA writer suggested the Lakers trade for Caldwell-Pope from the Grizzlies as the experienced small forward knows James.

 

Jacob Rude proposed the following Lakers–Grizzlies trade on SB Nation’s Silver Screen and Roll:

 

Los Angeles Lakers get: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

 

In 2021, as part of the historic Russell Westbrook trade, the Washington Wizards acquired Caldwell-Pope from the Los Angeles Lakers.

 

The Denver Nuggets acquired Caldwell-Pope in a trade with the Washington Wizards in 2022 after just one season with the former.

 

The Nuggets, who included the swingman in their 2023 title run, defeated James and the Lakers in a Western Conference Finals sweep that same year.

 

Following two seasons with the Denver Nuggets, Caldwell-Pope inked a three-year, $66 million deal with the Orlando Magic in 2024.

While shooting 43.9% from the field, 34.2% from outside the arc, and 86.3% from the free-throw line last season, the Magic averaged 8.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.4 blocks.

 

He is originally from Georgia. In the Desmond Bane trade that took place on June 15, Orlando sent Caldwell-Pope to the Grizzlies.

 

The upcoming season will bring in $21.6 million for Caldwell-Pope.

 

KCP has played for the Magic, Lakers, Wizards, Nuggets, and Detroit Pistons throughout his career, averaging 11.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.3 blocks. In the upcoming season, he will turn 33.

 

The 2025 NBA Playoffs began with a five-game sweep at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

 

While he hasn’t traded for anyone this offseason, general manager Rob Pelinka has added Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, and Deandre Ayton on his roster after trading Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets.