Los Angeles Lakers: Post All-Star break player rankings
By Ethan Temkin
5.) Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
What a season it’s been for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who went from being declared overpaid after the first game against the Clippers and every Lakers fan calling for his head, to one of the team’s most reliable 3-point shooter, free-throw shooter, and perimeter defender.
On the season, Pope is averaging 9.7 points, and is shooting 39.6% from three on 3.6 attempts per game. Pope is also the only player besides Dwight Howard (surprisingly) to play in every single game this season thus far, and you know the old saying, ‘the best ability is availability’.
But beyond the raw numbers, which on the surface don’t appear to be that impressive, Pope is someone who can get out in transition, spot up for three and hit that shot at an above average frequency, and defend opposing team’s guards at a semi-elite level.
He’s not exceptionally bad at any one thing, which played a huge part in his placement on this ranking, as the team can have him out there and not sacrifice anything in the process, unlike some of the previous players on this list.
It’s also important to keep in mind that KCP is still only 27 years old, and has the potential to improve his game and be an even more important piece for this Lakers team in the future. Money-wise, the team has taken care of him these past few seasons by paying him a salary that many deemed well-above what his skillset demanded, and hopefully Pope will remember that when he decides whether or not to pick up his player option at the end of this season.