Los Angeles Lakers: Which players have the most to prove in the playoffs?

Los Angeles Lakers with something to prove: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

When Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to a one-year, $18 million contract in 2017, it was viewed as a coup. KCP was going to be the perfect 3-and-D player to help solidify the Lakers’ young roster.

Things didn’t play out the way most people envisioned. KCP forgot how to shoot, and he played unintelligent and uninspired defense. In response, the team signed Caldwell-Pope to another overpriced one-year contract ($12 million) to play for the Lakers again during the 2018-2019 season. And KCP played even worse. Rob Pelinka didn’t care. He decided to sign KCP to another contract—a two-year, $16 million deal that runs through the 2021 season.

This season KCP shot the ball much better, hitting 39 percent of his shots from deep. Unfortunately, his defense hasn’t progressed in the same way. He’s ranked second to last in defensive rating (110) on the Lakers. KCP has the tools to be an excellent defender, but he still falls asleep on the less glamorous side of the ball, often letting his assignment prance into the lane for an easy look.

The upcoming playoffs will be an excellent opportunity for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to prove his worth for the Purple and Gold. The Lakers have a rich history of ho-hum regular-season role players who step up big in the playoffs and help LA win a chip. Two recent players who come to mind are Derek Fisher and Robert Horry.

Both men played OKAY during the regular season for the Lakers. But both men also stepped huge in the playoffs. That’s why nearly every Lakers fan forgets their subpar regular-season numbers.

If KCP manages to hit clutch 3-pointers and puts his physical tools together to start locking down his assignment on defense, he’ll prove he’s a huge asset to the Lakers. In the end, we’ll also forget his struggles during the regular season and his exorbitant contracts.