Los Angeles Lakers Report Card: First Quarter Player Grades

SG/SF Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Detroit Pistons’ general manager and head coach Stan Van Gundy made a surprising and questionable move when he cut three-and-d talent Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The fourth-year player has made a significant impact for the Lakers this season.

His defense has been nothing short of terrific. The Lakers were near dead-last in the league last year in defensive rating. Caldwell-Pope has been a huge reason on why the Lakers have improved in holding opponents to just 102 points per 100 possessions.

Although Caldwell-Pope missed the first two games in the year due to a DUI suspension, he is averaging career highs across the board on defense, including 1.7 SPG and is second on the team in defensive rating. Caldwell-Pope almost always draws the best player on offense, and he is finding ways to stop them. He also is tenth in defensive rating for players who are playing over 33 minutes a game. You cannot ask for any more from anyone than that.

His 3-point percentage and points have also increased across the board. His offensive statistics have wavered, but Caldwell-Pope isn’t asked to do much on that side of the ball but to spot up and shoot. I noticed that he takes more responsibilities on ball-handling, but Kentavious should deal that to Lonzo Ball. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is banking in for himself and the Lakers. If he keeps his play up, he should find a well-rounded suitor for his services in the 2018 offseason.