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The Philadelphia 76ers have the potential to make some huge moves in the 2024 NBA offseason. They have been linked ad nauseam to Paul George but have a lot of other ways they could build around Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. One such way could be to sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope away from the Denver Nuggets.
The Sixers have been named as one team that will look to be in the running for Caldwell-Pope, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. George, he writes, is regarded as the first domino to fall this offseason that will dictate movement among other players and teams around the league. But after that, it’s KCP who could be the next big player.
Stein writes the following: “Among the players who will be most in demand after George lands, league sources say, is Denver's Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Sources say Philadelphia and Orlando are weighing runs at Caldwell-Pope with their cap space if, as increasingly expected, he declines his $15.4 million player option with the Nuggets to enter free agency and field richer offers.”
Given KCP's track record on championship-winning teams and his two-way value, the Sixers and Orlando Magic are bound to see other teams, including the Nuggets, make runs at signing him this offseason.
76ers looking to sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in 2024 offseason
Last season with the Nuggets, Caldwell-Pope averaged 10.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 46.0 percent from the field and 40.6 percent from deep. The 31-year-old helped Denver win the 2023 championship and could receive a big contract this offseason as one of the premier role players on the open market.
As the shooting guard next to Maxey, Caldwell-Pope would be a spectacular fit just as he was with Jamal Murray. He's a very good spot-up shooting threat who also shoots well from the midrange. His perimeter defense is top-notch, too. The Los Angeles Lakers and Nuggets both won championships with him supporting their franchise stars, spacing the floor from deep while also making plays on the defensive end. That experience and his talent on the court make him someone who could help further unlock Philadelphia's star duo.
The 76ers have been mentioned as a suitor for Caldwell-Pope previously. Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports mentioned him as a player that the Sixers, should they strike out on signing or trading for an All-Star, could sign to a short-term contract with inflated per-year value. Such a deal would give them a solid player on a contract that could be used in a trade for a star later on down the line. It’s what the Indiana Pacers did with Bruce Brown, which allowed them to trade for Pascal Siakam.
Philly's desire to land another star-level player has been apparent ever since James Harden was traded. Caldwell-Pope wouldn’t be that level of player but he's a high-level role player and could be used in a later trade to acquire that star player.
The Magic could be a real threat to sign KCP, too. They have a hefty amount of cap space and a young core that, while not currently as good as the Sixers, should make them a playoff contender for a long time. Philly being more ready to win now might entice Caldwell-Pope more but an intense bidding war could spark quickly for the veteran champion.
