Kentavious Caldwell-Pope hits free agency with $15.4 million decision
06/27/2024 04:38 PM
The Denver Nuggets came into the 2024 offseason looking to regain their championship mettle. In order to do so though, the Nuggets are going to have to make a decision regarding Kentavious Caldwell-Pope who will test NBA free agency as per Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s decision to hit NBA free agency doesn’t necessarily mean that he will not return to the Nuggets, but he will no doubt receive interest from other teams on the open market. Caldwell-Pope had a $15.4 million player option for next season which he declined.
Caldwell-Pope has become one of the top role players in the NBA. He’s a two-time NBA champion having won a title with the 2019-20 Los Angeles Lakers and the 2022-23 Nuggets.
Last season, Caldwell-Pope appeared in 76 games at a little over 31 minutes per game. He averaged 10.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals with splits of 46 percent shooting from the field, 40.6 percent shooting from the three-point line and 89.4 percent shooting from the free-throw line.
During the playoffs, Caldwell-Pope’s numbers dropped a bit. He averaged 8.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 steals with splits of 39.5 percent shooting from the field, 32.7 percent shooting from the three-point line and 100 percent shooting from the free-throw line.
Nuggets offseason looms following playoff exit
When the 2023-24 NBA season began, the Nuggets were considered the favorite to come out of the Western Conference and contend for another championship. But when the playoffs began, they just lacked the execution and determination of the previous season.
The Nuggets sleepwalked through a five-game series against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round before being eliminated in the Western Conference Semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Nuggets were up double-digits in Game 7 against the Wolves before ultimately losing the game.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is the number one concern for the Nuggets this offseason. Out of all their potential free agents, he is the most valuable. Re-signing him is key to staying a contender in an ever-improving West. But should the Nuggets re-sign Caldwell-Pope, it will almost certainly trigger the dreaded ‘second apron’ as part of the NBA’s CBA and further restrict the Nuggets ability to build a team.
Earlier this week, the Nuggets received news that backup guard Reggie Jackson was picking up his contract option to return to the team for the 2024-25 season. They hold a team option on Vlatko Cancar and have two more pending unrestricted free agents in DeAndre Jordan and Justin Holiday in addition to Caldwell-Pope.
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