Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will be traded or released by the Memphis Grizzlies.
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Memphis Grizzlies will part ways with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
The Grizzlies will either trade or release KCP soon.
Caldwell-Pope appeared in 51 games for the Grizzlies last season. The veteran averaged 8.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game while shooting 41.0% from the field, 31.6% from beyond the arc and 91.3% from the free-throw line.
Memphis acquired Caldwell-Pope from the Orlando Magic in the blockbuster Desmond Bane trade. KCP is slated to make $21,621,500 next season in the final year of his deal.
A two-time NBA champion, Caldwell-Pope has played for the Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, Denver Nuggets, Magic and Grizzlies. He holds career averages of 11.0 points per game in the regular season and 9.7 points per game in the playoffs.
The 33-year-old Caldwell-Pope is better suited to play for a contender at this stage of his career. Memphis is in deep rebuild mode and just traded Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers after getting Cameron Boozer and Karim Lopez in the 2026 draft.
Morant finished his Grizzlies career averaging 22.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game. He only led the franchise to the second round of the playoffs once. That was back in 2022 with Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Dillon Brooks by his side.
It's going to be a while before the Grizzlies make the playoffs again. However, at least they have a young building block in Boozer, who won the Player of the Year Award last season. The Duke forward averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game while shooting 55.6% from the field, 39.1% from beyond the arc and 78.9% from the free-throw line.
At the NBA Combine in Chicago, Boozer measured at 6-8¼ without shoes. He weighed 253 pounds, his standing reach was 9-0 and his wingspan was 7-1½.
Boozer, the son of former NBA star Carlos Boozer, was asked at the Combine to name the skill he possesses that will transfer immediately to the pros. Cameron spoke about his feel for the game and his competitive instincts.
"I think my mind for sure," Cameron said. "I just think my feel for the game is elite. My competitiveness, my will to win, I think those are the biggest things that are going to translate."
