Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SG, 6’5, 205lbs, 24 years old, 4 years of experience

It would heavily benefit KCP if the players around him had been more willing and able to share the ball. Despite improvements in his ability to handle the ball and drive close-outs, he is always going to be better at being an off-the-ball, opportunistic offensive player, which relies upon a moving ball (and his own catch-and-shoot efficiency needs to be better). The same applies on defence, where he should be pretty good on both guard positions, but is merely average due to a team defence that seems to struggle for communication. Moreover, though, all areas of his game are markedly inconsistent. If he is retained, improvements must continue.

Player Plan: Entering restricted free agency and not worthy of more than MLE money, although he might get it in an offer sheet in a volatile market.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - It was a bit of a nothing season for KCP, who was given plenty of opportunity to succeed (80 games, 41 starts, 19.8 mpg) and simply didn't. He averaged only 5.9 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game, shooting 39.6% from the field and 31.9% from three, looking very awkward on the offensive end of the court. Caldwell-Pope faired better defensively, given plenty of big matchups (especially at the start of the season) and using his athleticism and wingspan to occasionally be a deterrent to any slashing guard, but on offense he mostly looked lost, was unreliable with the handle, and settled for far too many long twos. KCP projects to be a very good three and D role player, which would suffice despite his draft position, but he absolutely needs to spend the summer honing that jumpshot. There is something there to work with, yet a long way to go.