Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Reunites With LeBron James in Philadelphia After Grizzlies Buyout

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is headed to the 76ers after negotiating a buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies, giving Philadelphia another proven wing just one day after the franchise’s headline-grabbing signing of LeBron James.

The Grizzlies and Caldwell-Pope’s representation, Klutch Sports founder Rich Paul, finalized the buyout Saturday, clearing the way for the veteran guard to clear waivers and sign a new one-year deal worth $3.9 million with Philadelphia. The move unwinds the three-year, $66 million contract Memphis had handed him, a deal negotiated by the same Klutch Sports agency now steering both his and James’s moves this offseason.

Caldwell-Pope’s fit in Philadelphia carries obvious familiarity. The two-time NBA champion won his first title alongside James during the Lakers’ 2020 bubble run before adding a second ring with Denver in 2023, making him a known quantity as a three-and-D wing capable of spacing the floor around a ball-dominant star. His production dipped in Memphis compared with his best seasons — he averaged 8.4 points, 2.7 assists, 2.5 rebounds and just 21.3 minutes across 51 games, his lowest scoring and playing-time figures since his rookie year — but he still knocked down 45 three-pointers at a 37.8% clip from beyond the arc, numbers that made him an appealing target for a Sixers team looking to surround its new core with reliable shooting.

Landing him won’t be entirely simple from a roster-management standpoint. Philadelphia is already operating under the league’s first luxury-tax apron restrictions following its earlier signing of forward Dean Wade, meaning the team will likely need to shed at least two other roster spots to formally accommodate Caldwell-Pope once his deal becomes official.

If he does stick, Caldwell-Pope figures to compete for bench minutes alongside players like Anfernee Simons, Labaron Philon and Justin Edwards, adding depth to a roster that’s undergone rapid transformation in a matter of days — first landing Jaylen Brown in a blockbuster trade, then signing James, and now bringing back one of his most trusted championship teammates to round out the wing rotation.

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Article by USports Editors