### Sixers and Magic Eyeing Caldwell-Pope Amid Free Agency Speculations
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, both the Philadelphia 76ers and the Orlando Magic have shown interest in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, one of the NBA’s top two-way players. Caldwell-Pope is anticipated to decline his 2024-25 player option with the Denver Nuggets.
“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. “My podcast partner Chris Haynes reported Friday on his Bleacher Report live stream that Caldwell-Pope is likely to become an unrestricted free agent in a week if KCP and the Nuggets don’t come to terms on an extension before the marketplace opens next Sunday at 6 PM ET. An extension would take Denver into second-apron luxury tax territory.”
During the 2023-24 season, Caldwell-Pope averaged 10.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, shooting 46.0% from the field, 40.6% from three-point range, and 89.4% from the free-throw line.
The Nuggets, who secured the 2023 championship by defeating the Miami Heat in five games, were eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of this year’s playoffs in a seven-game series. Caldwell-Pope has previously played for the Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, and Nuggets, holding career averages of 11.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists.
KCP is a two-time NBA champion, having won the 2020 title with the Lakers at the Walt Disney World bubble against the Heat in six games.
NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that the Nuggets are concerned about potentially losing Caldwell-Pope. “Heading into free agency, there’s also concern that guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope could decline his $15.44 million player option, enter unrestricted free agency, and land a potential short-term offer for a higher salary annually comparable to Bruce Brown’s previous two-year, $45 million deal with Indiana,” Scotto wrote.
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