Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: Stay
Yes, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has a player option and theoretically could opt out of his deal and sign a more lucrative deal elsewhere. KCP played so well in the NBA Playoffs that he absolutely raised his value and now having that ring attached to his name gives him something that every NBA team wants to add: Finals experience.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is not going anywhere.
I do think that KCP would probably get more money if he signs elsewhere this offseason. He is set to make $8.2 million next season and there would be some team willing to give him a four-year, $40 million deal as a role player.
However, he is a noted Klutch Sports client and LeBron James is his guy. He is not going to leave this team. He is aware of the two-year plan and will stick around another year before gauging his options next offseason.
Plus, he could really add to his value with another year on the Lakers. Even more NBA Playoffs experience (and hopefully another ring) will shoot his value up even more, especially if he plays like he did this year in the NBA Playoffs.
KCP averaged 10.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 37.8% from beyond the arc. KCP made 45 three-pointers in the NBA Playoffs, which was the sixth-most in the playoffs and the most on the Lakers, beating LeBron James by one.
In fact, KCP’s 45 threes were the second-most in a single NBA Playoffs by any Laker, ever. Kobe Bryant holds the record with 49 threes made in the 2010 NBA Playoffs.