Player News
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports the Grizzlies have acquired Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks and a pick swap from the Magic in exchange for Desmond Bane.
After one season with the Magic, Caldwell-Pope is on the move. He’s been traded to the Grizzlies, but the veteran guard will likely be a starter in his new home. Caldwell-Pope was signed by the Magic last summer for his 3-and-D abilities, but he struggled with his shot. In 77 appearances, he shot 34.2 percent from three on 4.3 attempts per game. The percentage was Caldwell-Pope’s worst since 2015-16, when he shot 30.9 percent from three as a member of the Pistons. Playing alongside Ja Morant could result in cleaner looks for KCP if he’s inserted into the starting lineup, as Orlando lacked a consistent playmaker at the point. From a fantasy standpoint, he’ll be a late-round pick at best in standard leagues.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope tallied eight points (3-of-9 FGs), three rebounds, one assist, one steal and two three-pointers in 30 minutes in a Game 5 loss to the Celtics on Tuesday.
Caldwell-Pope had a brutal series, scoring no more than eight points in any of the five games. The veteran wing shot 6-of-23 from beyond the arc, which isn’t good enough for a team that lacked consistent scorers beyond Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Signed last summer with the hope that he could be a veteran voice who could also provide 3-and-D value, Caldwell-Pope underwhelmed in his first season with the Magic. He finished the regular season ranked outside the top-150 in eight- and nine-cat formats in category leagues, but KCP was close to a top-100 option in points leagues. At best, he’ll be worthy of late-round consideration in 12-team leagues next fall.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (knee) and Cory Joseph (knee) are questionable for Friday’s game against the Pacers.
While Joseph is dealing with a sore left knee that led to his addition to the injury report, Caldwell-Pope exited Wednesday’s win over the Celtics with a strained left knee. KCP was replaced in the lineup by Caleb Houstan, who would likely start if the veteran is unavailable on Friday. Joseph’s absence would mean a point guard rotation of Cole Anthony and Anthony Black. With the Magic locked into the seven-seed in the East, the last two games of the regular season have minimal meaning for them.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (knee) will not return to Wednesday’s game against the Celtics.
Caldwell-Pope was limited to seven minutes during the first half of Wednesday’s game and will not return due to a sore left knee. Due to KCP’s absence, Caleb Houstan and Anthony Black will play more minutes, with the former logging 15 first-half minutes and the latter 16. Houstan replaced Caldwell-Pope in the lineup to begin the third quarter.
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