Grizzlies guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is expected to exercise his $21.6MM option for the 2026/27 season, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports (Twitter link). It’s the last year of a 3-year, $66MM deal negotiated by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports.
It comes as no surprise that KCP chose to take the guaranteed money rather than test the free-agent market. It’s been an abbreviated season for the veteran wing, who underwent season-ending surgery in February to address a misalignment of his right pinky finger.
Caldwell-Pope, who was acquired from Orlando last summer in the Desmond Bane trade, made 51 appearances in ’25/26 for the Grizzlies, averaging 8.4 points, 2.7 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 21.3 minutes per game. His shooting line was .410/.316/.913.
His salary for next season is second-highest on the club behind Ja Morant‘s $42,166,510.
The 33-year-old was a quality three-and-D contributor for several years, winning a pair of championships (with the Lakers in 2020 and the Nuggets in 2023) as a key role player. However, his production has fallen off for the past two seasons, particularly from behind the arc — he shot 38.9% from three-point range in the seven seasons leading up to 2024/25, but has converted just 33.3% of his three-point shots since that point.
Caldwell-Pope’s lone season with the Magic, who signed him to his current deal, was also a disappointment, as he averaged 8.7 PPG in 77 starts.
Nobody is going to offer him more so might as well get the money. Grizzlies will use him in a trade or buy him out.
Annual salary
Avdija 14m
Champagnie 3m
Ayo 8m
IMO
Draymond is worth 5m
What does Green has to do with it??
Water is wet
Wait… what???
Grizz definitely gonna make him available for Vegas or sonics.
Who said the Bane trade was horrible… ….me