Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is expected to be bought out by the Memphis Grizzlies and then sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, setting up a reunion with LeBron James in one of this offseason’s buzziest moves. The veteran wing is projected to slide into a depth role on a Sixers roster that has been aggressively reshaped this summer.
Prime Video insider Chris Haynes reported late Friday that Caldwell-Pope is negotiating a buyout with Memphis and “intends to team back up” with James in Philadelphia, per NBC Sports Philadelphia. That update landed as the Sixers began tying off other roster moves connected to LeBron’s decision to sign in Philly.
How Caldwell-Pope Fits In
At 33, Caldwell-Pope is still viewed around the league as a classic 3-and-D wing, even after a down season. He averaged 8.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 21.3 minutes per game last year and hit 31.6 percent of his 3-point attempts, according to Basketball-Reference. League projections have him slotted as a low-usage, perimeter-defending reserve if the Sixers close the deal. Sportsnet notes that Philadelphia views him as veteran depth rather than a primary scoring option.
Experience And Trade Backstory
Caldwell-Pope and LeBron were teammates on the Lakers’ 2019–20 title team in the Orlando bubble, and KCP picked up another ring with Denver in 2023. That championship résumé lines up neatly with the Sixers’ win-now posture. He eventually landed in Memphis last year as part of the blockbuster Desmond Bane trade; the Orlando Magic and Grizzlies’ official releases are cited as laying out the full haul that sent Caldwell-Pope to the Grizzlies. The L.A. Times and the Magic’s press release are referenced as summarizing those moves and their broader context.
Philadelphia’s Summer Shuffle
LeBron has announced that he will sign a two-year, roughly $8 million deal with the Sixers, a choice that immediately changed Philadelphia’s offseason calculus, according to reporting syndicated from the Associated Press and carried by WHYY. That coverage and other outlets note that the team has already pulled off a blockbuster trade to bring Jaylen Brown to town and has added young talent such as VJ Edgecombe. The Washington Post detailed the Brown deal and confirmed several of the supporting signings, including small-ball pieces and bench wings who would make up the Sixers’ rotation if Caldwell-Pope joins the fold.
Next Steps And Salary Questions
Before Caldwell-Pope can officially sign in Philadelphia, Memphis and the guard must finalize a buyout with the league office, and the Sixers will need an open roster spot. Caldwell-Pope exercised a $21.6 million player option in June, a move that complicates how much salary the Grizzlies might be willing to eat in a buyout, as noted by Fox Sports. Other outlets following the market have indicated that a buyout, rather than a trade, is the most likely outcome, with Philadelphia positioned to add him on a veteran-minimum deal once he clears waivers. TheScore and other league trackers have highlighted the growing buyout chatter.
If the move is completed, the Sixers would be picking up a veteran perimeter defender with two championship rings and plenty of familiarity with LeBron’s on-court rhythms. It is exactly the type of role player who can soak up playoff minutes and help stabilize tricky matchups. We will update as the buyout is completed and any formal announcement from the Sixers comes through.
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