How the Lakers can reunite with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope this summer

How Kentavious Caldwell-Pope would fit on the new-look Los Angeles Lakers:

It has already been proven that KCP can be a solid role player alongside LeBron and AD. The biggest question mark would have to be how he would fit playing with his potential backcourt running mate Westbrook.

Caldwell-Pope can stretch the floor and play off-ball, and Westbrook has historically played well when he is the primary ball-handler and is surrounded by shooters. New head coach Darvin Ham already mentioned the Lakers will have a four out offensive scheme, so if Westbrook is on the floor with KCP at least they have one guard that is a threat from beyond the arc.

KCP has also already shown he can handle the added pressures that come with being a Laker. There would be no learning curve for him in Los Angeles, and he could come in and carve out a big role easily.

It would not be a wild suggestion to start KCP with Westbrook because of his experience playing with the other likely members of the starting five Davis and James. The wild thing is that they traded Caldwell-Pope in the first place and that he could even have the chance to come back on a MLE or even a minimum deal.

He would instantly add some offensive versatility to a back court that lacked consistent scoring outside of Westbrook and Monk. Caldwell-Pope could also be a solid veteran mentor for younger guys like Austin Reaves and Talen Horton-Tucker to show them what it takes to be a two-way role player on a championship team.

Pope’s defense is obviously what helps make him a fit in most lineups. He has the ability to switch and defend players with more size than him, and  also excels as an on-ball defender helping lock down scoring guards.

If the Lakers want to improve their record next season they will have to improve on the defensive end, and signing KCP could be a way to quickly upgrade defensively. KCP would be a smart addition because this roster lacks continuity and landing him would add a familiar face from when they were winning.

He will have to learn an entirely new system and coach Ham could want to start fresh and bring in players he is more familiar with. But everyone on the Lakers will be learning a new system and it could be hard to pass up a chance to sign a player whom they experienced success with.

Pelinka showed last offseason that he likes to sign former Lakers, but that did not quite work out to his benefit last time around. Yet, that should not discourage him to bring back KCP on a minimum or MLE.