Kentavious Caldwell-Pope set to join 76ers, reunite with LeBron James: Sources

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is planning to join the Philadelphia 76ers after reaching a buyout agreement with the Memphis Grizzlies, league sources confirmed to The Athletic.

The sources were granted anonymity so they could discuss front-office strategy. NBA reporter Chris Haynes first reported late Friday that Caldwell-Pope, 33, and the Grizzlies were negotiating a buyout.

Caldwell-Pope joining the Sixers would reunite him with LeBron James, who announced on Friday that he’ll be signing with the Sixers for his NBA-record 24th season. Caldwell-Pope and James won an NBA championship together with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. Caldwell-Pope was also a member of the Denver Nuggets’ title squad in 2023.

Last season, Caldwell-Pope averaged 8.4 points per game in 51 contests with the Grizzlies. He shot 31.6 percent from 3, his lowest mark since 2015-16 with the Detroit Pistons. The Sixers can only offer him a minimum deal, similar to the one James agreed to.

As for the Grizzlies, they had no room on the roster for Caldwell-Pope and would have had to cut him before the season and eat a $21 million salary. Instead, they will happily pocket whatever savings they negotiated on his buyout.