LA Lakers rumors have the team showing a lot of interest in signing free agent Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The Lakers don't want to use up too much of their salary cap space for next season but are hoping that they can get him to sign on a one-year deal. A report from Friday morning (July 7) confirms that the Lakers are intrigued, especially because he has a prior relationship with LeBron James (they share an agent).
The reason that Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has surfaced in these LA Lakers Rumors is that he is becoming an unrestricted free agent. The Detroit Pistons have decided to renounce his rights, meaning he can now sign with any team in the NBA.
Up to this point, Caldwell-Pope had been a restricted free agent, allowing the Pistons to match any contract offer he received during the NBA offseason.
Will the LA Lakers have competition for the free agent?
The LA Lakers are going to have some competition, as the Brooklyn Nets have already been showing a lot of interest in signing Caldwell-Pope. The reasoning for the Nets is that he would look good as part of a starting backcourt that will include point guard D'Angelo Russell. The coincidence here is that the Nets acquired Russell from the Lakers, but also have money to spend in free agency because of that exact deal.
During the 2016-17 NBA season, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope played 76 games for the Detroit Pistons, averaging 13.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.
His shooting percentages were way down, though, as he hit on just 39.9 percent from the field. Caldwell-Pope is the type of player who could help spread the floor for the Lakers or Nets while providing adequate defense on the other end of the court. He has averaged 1.2 steals during his career through 314 total games played.
Can the Detroit Pistons trade Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to Los Angeles Lakers?
One of the scenarios that are now possible, is for the Detroit Pistons to work out a sign-and-trade deal with another franchise. The Pistons can offer to re-sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and then deal him to another organization for an asset or two.
It would bring more teams to the table for Caldwell-Pope and his agent, possibly raising the number of years he gets on a contract. The LA Lakers rumors make the most sense for Caldwell-Pope if he wants to win now, but the Brooklyn Nets would surely overpay on a long-term deal.
In addition to this latest piece of news, there have been other LA Lakers rumors linking the team to guard Jamal Crawford during the NBA offseason. NBA fans should expect a lot of buzz as soon as he is officially revealed as a free agent, as the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets will be in hot pursuit.
