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Los Angeles Lakers: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and the mad era of max contracts

By Lloyd Tunstill

AUBURN HILLS, MI - FEBRUARY 28: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #5 of the Detroit Pistons handles the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 28, 2017 at The Palace of Auburn Hills 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - FEBRUARY 28: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #5 of the Detroit Pistons handles the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 28, 2017 at The Palace of Auburn Hills 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The newest Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, almost received a max contract from the Detroit Pistons but would he have been worth it?

The slang term “shoot your shot” means to take chances no matter if you fail or not. This courageous “shooting” normally happens in social settings, but it was recently seen by the Los Angeles Lakers newest member, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Caldwell-Pope, who signed a one-year deal for $18 million, declined an offer made by the Pistons. According to Chris Horwedel,

"” Caldwell-Pope entered the off-season as a restricted free agent with the Pistons after he declined a five-year, $80 million extension from the team. While this move [to the Lakers] doesn’t provide the young shooting guard with the same degree of long-term financial security, it does give him the opportunity to re-enter the free agent market next summer after playing in what’s expected to be a fast-paced Lakers offense.”"

Caldwell-Pope now aligns himself next summer for the notorious 2018 free agency, which, of course, will be an even bigger payout than what Detroit offered. However, for a player that is “shooting his shot” hoping to receive a max contract, his on-court shooting percentage questions if he warrants it.

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Despite making 35 percent from 3-point range, Caldwell-Pope connected on less than 40 percent of his field-goal attempts. Pope averaged 14.5 and 13.8 points per game the last two seasons with Detroit. Now, I may have bad hearing but that doesn’t scream a player deserving of a max contract.

On top of that, there are no accolades that vouch for him receiving a max deal. Accolades are a players alibi. After remembering he is a two-time MVP, I didn’t blink twice at Steph Curry’s $201 million dollar contract. His accolades speak for themselves.

Caldwell-Pope has made no All-NBA teams and has no All-Star appearances. In fact, Pope’s lone NBA award is that he led the league in turnover percentage in 2014 with 5.4 percent.

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Fans allude that his age is his value saying, “Caldwell-Pope being just 24 years old offers a team his tremendous upside.” Stop it. Are players getting paid for upside or for production? But, hey. Don’t let me stop you from getting your worth young brotha. Shoot your shot.

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