Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is negotiating a buyout with the Grizzlies and plans to join the 76ers to team up with LeBron James.

According to NBA insider Chris Haynes on Friday, 33-year-old veteran wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is negotiating a buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies. Once he becomes a free agent, he will join his former teammate LeBron James with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Haines did not disclose what kind of contract Pope would sign with Philadelphia, but the 76ers can currently only offer veteran minimum contracts. They still need to further reduce their total salary, and Darren Terry and Jabari Walker may face being cut as a result.

As the 8th overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope played for the Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, Denver Nuggets, and Orlando Magic. His career highlights undoubtedly include winning two NBA championships in 2020 and 2023, respectively, alongside LeBron James and Nikola Jokic.

In June 2025, Pope was traded from the Magic to the Grizzlies in a deal involving Desmond Bane. Due to a dislocated right pinky, he has only played 51 regular season games for the Grizzlies to date, averaging 8.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 21.3 minutes per game, with a field goal percentage of 41.0% and a three-point percentage of 31.6%.

According to a previous report by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope originally intended to exercise his $21.6 million player option for the 2026/27 season. However, due to the Grizzlies' strong push to rejuvenate their roster, both sides ultimately leaned towards negotiating a buyout.

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