The Philadelphia 76ers are adding another championship ring to a roster already built for a title run. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a 33-year-old guard and two-time NBA champion, has reached a buyout agreement with the Memphis Grizzlies and plans to sign with the Sixers once he clears waivers.
The news, reported by the Associated Press and confirmed by ESPN citing league sources, arrives during an eventful offseason for Philadelphia, which already features LeBron James — Caldwell-Pope's former teammate on the 2020 Los Angeles Lakers championship team that won the title inside the Orlando bubble.
Caldwell-Pope averaged 8.4 points and 21.9 minutes over 51 games for Memphis last season before undergoing finger surgery in February that sidelined him for the final 31 games of the regular season.
With more than 13 NBA seasons and 963 career games under his belt, Caldwell-Pope holds career averages of 11 points per game. He has played for the Detroit Pistons (who selected him 8th overall in the 2013 draft), the Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, and the Memphis Grizzlies.
Beyond the 2020 Lakers title, KCP also won a championship with the Denver Nuggets in 2023, cementing his reputation as one of the league's premier 3-and-D wings. His defensive versatility and catch-and-shoot ability make him an ideal fit for a Sixers team that is squarely in championship-or-bust mode.
The move represents a low-cost, high-upside addition for Philadelphia: after the buyout, Caldwell-Pope can sign as a free agent without a significant cap hit. The Sixers continue fortifying their wing rotation, giving head coach Nick Nurse another seasoned weapon on both ends of the floor as they gear up for the 2026-27 NBA season.
Sources
- AP News: https://apnews.com/article/grizzlies-caldwellpope-a54eb9d4ddc4b44ece1cc9d60a04b367
