Kentavious Caldwell-Pope plans to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, contingent on his buyout from the Memphis Grizzlies. The move immediately strengthens Philadelphia's perimeter defense and three-point shooting — and at a price that makes it one of the smarter low-cost additions of the offseason.
Caldwell-Pope is a proven 3-and-D wing, a role he mastered during championship runs with the 2020 Lakers and 2023 Nuggets. Last season with Memphis, he shot 39.5 percent from three on 5.1 attempts per game. That kind of floor spacing helps Joel Embiid operate in the paint and gives Tyrese Maxey more room to attack off the dribble. Add in his defensive versatility — he can guard multiple positions — and you have a guy who fits exactly what Philadelphia needs heading into the playoffs.
Memphis's decision to buy out Caldwell-Pope is a straightforward financial move. KCP was owed $15.4 million this season, the final year of a three-year, $30 million contract. Cutting him loose trims salary and helps the Grizzlies sidestep luxury tax exposure while they shift resources toward their younger core.
Under a buyout, Caldwell-Pope forfeits a portion of his remaining salary. The 76ers will likely sign him to a veteran minimum deal — roughly $3.2 million for a player with his experience. That's elite value. Philadelphia gets a two-time champion for a fraction of what he was earning in Memphis, keeping cap flexibility intact.
Philadelphia now surrounds Embiid and Maxey with a veteran who has been in the biggest moments the game offers. The 76ers finished last season as the second seed in the Eastern Conference. With KCP in the mix, they're a deeper, more dangerous team — and one that no one in the East should want to see come April.
