The Brooklyn Nets should consider Kentavious Caldwell-Pope next season
The Brooklyn Nets were not able to sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope this offseason. They may have another shot to acquire him next offseason.
The Brooklyn Nets were unable to acquire their top two targets this offseason. The team signed Otto Porter to a contract for four years and $106 million. Unfortunately, the Wizards were able to match his deal. Porter was retained by Washington as a restricted free agent.
The Nets had a better chance to sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The Pistons paved the way for his signing by renouncing his rights. The team acquired Avery Bradley in a trade and no longer had a need for Caldwell-Pope.
The Nets had the most money in free agency to acquire Caldwell-Pope. Even though the team has a logjam in their backcourt, the team could have definitely used a burgeoning talent like Caldwell-Pope.
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The Los Angeles Lakers swooped in instead. The team was able to sign the four-year pro to a one year deal worth $18 million. Caldwell-Pope will hit the open market again next offseason.
Luckily for the Nets, the Lakers may not want to retain him. The team has grand plans to entice LeBron James and Paul George to join Lonzo Ball in Los Angeles to form the next super team.
That could make Caldwell-Pope a casualty. The Lakers likely won’t be able to sign him if it wants to bring aboard several max contracts.
That makes this season somewhat of an audition for Caldwell-Pope for the rest of the league. Not many teams will have cap space next summer. The Brooklyn Nets will.
The team could have a mulligan after losing out on him this offseason. If Caldwell-Pope proves to be worthy of such a contract, the Nets may be able to give it to him next season. If he doesn’t, the Nets can move forward with D’Angelo Russell and Caris LeVert in their backcourt.
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Caldwell-Pope has had a solid career so far. This past season he shot a career-high 35 percent from the 3-point line in 5.8 attempts per game. Those are solid numbers, but that doesn’t quite justify a long-term deal with that yearly salary.
If Caldwell-Pope is able to up his scoring, rebounding and assist totals, perhaps he may be worth a look for the Nets next offseason. Until then Sean Marks can monitor his development.
Best of all, he won’t be footing the bill to see if Caldwell-Pope is worthy of such a contract.