Kentavious Caldwell-Pope leaves Nuggets, signs with Magic
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope averaged 10.1 points per game for the Nuggets in 2023-24.
• 2024 Free Agency
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is leaving the Denver Nuggets and signing with the Orlando Magic, the team announced July 6. Multiple reports put the contract at three years and $66 million, with the third year set as a player option.
welcome to the O, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope pic.twitter.com/FccZpR6I0B
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) July 6, 2024
Finalizing three-years, $66 million for Caldwell-Pope in Orlando, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/ruLqQhXEf1
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2024
Caldwell-Pope, 31, has established himself as a premier role player for winning teams, starting at shooting guard for championship runs in 2020 (Lakers) and 2023 (Nuggets). He brings his championship experience to the Magic, a team that made a big jump this past season and now is trying to become an even stronger contender in the East.
Caldwell-Pope, a two-time champion guard, is a big get for the rising Magic, who won 47 games — their most in 13 seasons — in 2023-24. Caldwell-Pope was part of title-winning teams with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 and the Denver Nuggets in 2023. He averaged 10.1 points for the Nuggets this past season while shooting nearly 41% from 3-point range.
A former lottery pick of the Detroit Pistons, Caldwell-Pope has shot 39% or better from 3-point range in each of the past four seasons while providing solid perimeter defense. Last season he helped Denver to the Western Conference semifinals, where it lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves after winning the title the season before.
Orlando’s signing of Caldwell-Pope punctuates the upward trajectory of the franchise, fueled by young talents Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. The Magic secured the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference before falling to Cleveland in Game 7 of the first round.
Denver, meanwhile, sees another key piece of its 2023 title team depart via free agency for the second consecutive offseason after former sixth man Bruce Brown signed with Indiana a year ago.
The Nuggets will likely turn to third-year guard Christian Braun as their new starting shooting guard. Denver’s backcourt was also thinned in the offseason after it reportedly dealt veteran guard Reggie Jackson to the Charlotte Hornets for three future second-round picks.
