Lakers Rumors: The Los Angeles Lakers are actively shopping Kentavious Caldwell-Pope around the NBA!
It doesn’t take much to get the Lakers rumors started when ESPN’s Brian Windhorst speaks. Either way, it’s an acquired taste to fans. Either you believe it or not. His report floating the Lakers shopping guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope around set things off.
It’s just TWO DAYS UNTIL THE TRADE DEADLINE, and @WindhorstESPN has the latest on the Aaron Gordon sweepstakes, what the #Lakers will do in the wake of LeBron’s injury and whether Lonzo Ball is on the move. pic.twitter.com/ffbwk2pvVp
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) March 24, 2021
"“The Lakers have been working the phone since the LeBron injury looking for wing players. The problem is that they don’t really have a whole heck of a lot to offer. They have discussed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in trade scenarios, but from what I am told they are not willing to include a draft pick, or their best young player, which is Talen Horton-Tucker, and without those two things to grease, I don’t know if they’re going to get the kind of wing that could make a difference.”"
Okay, let Lake Show Life water this report down. What NBA General Manager that wants to stay employed in a financial crisis would take on KCP’s freshly new three-year deal at $40 million? Even if the last year is unguaranteed?
While Caldwell-Pope has been a reliable outlet for James and the rest of the team at times in his tenure, as of the night before the trade deadline here’s the story on KCP.
- He can’t create his own shot.
- He doesn’t penetrate well off the dribble.
- Right now, it’s not about saying KCP can’t shoot. It’s the fact that he WON’T shoot.
What the Lakers won’t give up in a draft pick and THT would be a starter just to get a GM to pick up the phone without laughing.
The Lakers may want to make a deal and Lakers Nation would throw a parade if there was one but the fact of the matter is, if the Los Angeles Lakers don’t offer Talen Horton-Tucker as the centerpiece, KCP will be playing against the Sixers Thursday night.
Anything else would be a shocker!
Over/Under for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope being moved: Under.
There is no market for KCP. Most teams have cable and watching his performance the last three games guarantee him staying…for the wrong reason (Also read: Default!).