2. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
When it comes to backcourt players on the roster, there may not be two players more opposite than Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Rajon Rondo. However, KCP is likely to receive a bump in minutes with Rondo being unavailable.
In the two games that Rondo has missed, Caldwell-Pope has played 28 minutes in both games. His highest total for minutes in a game, 33 against the Phoenix Suns, also came when Rondo was sidelined. Caldwell-Pope is someone that Walton isn’t afraid to turn to, and it shows in the minute distribution with Rondo sidelined.
Luckily for the Lakers, Caldwell-Pope has begun to play some better basketball. After a rough start to the season, he has begun to get things going from behind the arc.
After shooting 22.2 percent from the 3-point line in eight October games, he is shooting 39.4 percent from deep in eight November games. That November number includes two games he shot a combined 0-for-7, making that 39.4 percent that much more impressive.
Caldwell-Pope has scored in double-figures in four consecutive games as well, as his offensive game is coming around. His 14 free throws in the past three games are impressive as well, as it shows he is becoming more aggressive; in the previous 13 games, he attempted only 16 free throws.
While Caldwell-Pope isn’t the playmaker Rondo is, he is a better fit for their style of play. His 3-point shooting and floor spacing open things up for the offense, while he is also one of the better defenders on the team.
More minutes for Caldwell-Pope helps Walton experiment with more lineup combinations. One example we have seen is more of point guard Brandon Ingram, something that has looked to help get the third year player on track as well.