Key Denver Nuggets Player May Depart via Free Agency

Denver Nuggets shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a crucial player in the team’s 2022-23 championship season, might leave the Mile High City this summer.

 Will Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Stay with the Denver Nuggets?

Caldwell-Pope faces a decision on his player option for the 2024-25 season, which would pay him over $15.4 million. However, he might opt for free agency to secure a more lucrative deal.

According to HoopsHype:

Concerns are rising that Caldwell-Pope might decline his $15.44 million player option, enter unrestricted free agency, and seek a short-term contract with a higher annual salary, similar to Bruce Brown’s recent two-year, $45 million deal with Indiana.

While the Nuggets’ success has largely been driven by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, Caldwell-Pope has been a significant contributor. Despite their second-round exit from the 2024 NBA Playoffs, Pope’s impact over the past two seasons has been notable.

Since being traded from the Washington Wizards along with Ish Smith for Monte Morris and Will Barton in 2022, Caldwell-Pope has started all 152 games for the Nuggets. He was soon signed to a two-year, $30.15 million veteran extension. Drafted eighth overall by the Detroit Pistons in 2013, the former Georgia Bulldogs star has consistently demonstrated his value.

If Caldwell-Pope decides to explore free agency, he is likely to attract considerable interest from teams seeking a veteran with championship experience and a reliable three-point shot, as evidenced by his 41.5 percent shooting from beyond the arc during his tenure with Denver.