Sources indicate that Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will remain with the Grizzlies next season.

2026-06-20 10:13

Sources indicate that Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will remain with the Grizzlies next season.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, sources revealed that Memphis Grizzlies guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has decided to exercise his player option to remain with the team for the 2026-27 season. The option is worth $21.6 million.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, 33, won two NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets. Last summer, he was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Memphis Grizzlies in a deal involving Desmond Bane.

By exercising his player option, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will enter the final year of his three-year, $66 million contract. Last season, he was plagued by injuries. He underwent surgery in February to dislocate his right pinky finger, causing him to miss the Grizzlies' final 31 regular-season games.

In a total of 51 games played (including 14 starts), Caldwell-Pope averaged 21.3 minutes, scoring 8.4 points, 2.7 assists, and 2.5 rebounds, with a two-point field goal percentage of 49.5% and a three-point field goal percentage of 31.6%. Due to limited playing time and injuries, his average points and minutes per game both hit their lowest records since his rookie season.

As a typical "3D" (three-point and defense) player who has successfully transitioned in the league, Caldwell-Pope's three-point shooting percentage has not exceeded 34.2% in the last two seasons, a decline from the previous four consecutive seasons when he maintained a three-point shooting percentage of over 39%.

The Grizzlies hope that once the veteran returns from injury, he can provide more experience and support to the young team on the defensive end and in terms of outside shooting.


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