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Lakers Rumors: Significant interest in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

By Nick Ziegler

AUBURN HILLS, MI - JANUARY 23: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #5 of the Detroit Pistons tries to drive around Garrett Temple #17 of the Sacramento Kings during the first half at the Palace of Auburn Hills on January 23, 2017 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - JANUARY 23: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #5 of the Detroit Pistons tries to drive around Garrett Temple #17 of the Sacramento Kings during the first half at the Palace of Auburn Hills on January 23, 2017 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Recent Lakers rumors have been about them possibly being interested in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Would he be willing to take a big one-year deal?

There have been plenty of Lakers rumors in recent days about their interest in signing at least one player to a one-year deal. Recently, we saw the Los Angeles Lakers reportedly offer Dion Waiters a one-year deal for pretty much the rest of their remaining salary for this season.

With the plan being to have as much cap space as possible for next offseason, the Lakers aren’t willing to give anyone more than a one-year deal. Recently the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics made a deal that has had some effect on free agency. The Celtics sent Avery Bradley to the Pistons in exchange for Marcus Morris.

Since Bradley will be joining the Pistons, the domino effect of that was that the Pistons renounced the rights to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, which makes him an unrestricted free agent. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers will pursue Caldwell-Pope with a big one-year deal like we saw offered to Waiters.

Since being drafted by the Pistons with the eighth overall pick, Caldwell-Pope has developed into a good player. As a great defender, Caldwell-Pope has also improved offensively since entering the NBA. Last season, he was able to average 13.8 points and improved his three-point percentage.

As a 6’5” shooting guard, Caldwell-Pope would fit a few needs for the Lakers. Most of the players that they have been interested in this offseason have been guards. Also, KCP’s defense and ability to stretch the floor would be welcomed in Los Angeles.

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While he would be a great addition for the Lakers, KCP will likely draw quite a bit of interest as an unrestricted free agent now. With about $17 million in cap space, the Lakers can offer KCP a big one-year deal, but he might be seeking a long-term deal elsewhere.

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