Kentavious Caldwell-Pope agrees to sign with Lakers for one-year, $18 million deal, per report

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has agreed to a one-year, $18 million deal with the Lakers, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. There were plenty of teams interested in grabbing KCP for their roster, but the Lakers appear to the the best suitor. The Pistons renounced their rights to KCP after trading for Avery Bradley, making him one of the best free agents available. This is certainly a situation for Caldwell-Pope to “bet on himself” as he’ll become a free agent again next summer. He’ll have plenty of opportunity to do that in Los Angeles next season.

Who is Kentavious Caldwell-Pope?

KCP averaged 13.8 points per game last year, while also shooting 35 percent from the three-point line. He’s only 24-years-old, standing tall at 6’5, with the ability to knock down shots from behind the arc, as well as defend. This is largely the reason he remained a starter for the Pistons for the last three seasons.

How does he fit with the Lakers?

This is a great signing for the Lakers as he comes in on a one-year deal, allowing LA to keep their options open for the summer of 2018. It also adds much needed defense to the roster. If the Lakers are to insert KCP into the starting lineup alongside Lonzo Ball, it would be a certain improvement on the roster they’ve had the past several years.

Why does KCP matter to a potential LeBron James future in LA?

While this is a one-year deal now, he’s potentially a long-term addition for the Lakers. Next summer will surely be spent on the biggest free agent names possible, like LeBron James and Paul George, but that doesn’t mean KCP isn’t a piece of that puzzle. Caldwell-Pope is represented by Klutch Sports, which also represents LeBron James. KCP is also just the kind of two-way player LeBron James likes to play with. The LeBron James to Laker land dream may be far fetched, but the Lakers are certainly putting themselves in position to have a chance.