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jul 25 2026Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is close to becoming a Philadelphia 76ers player. According to Chris Haynes, the veteran wing is negotiating a buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies and intends to sign with the Pennsylvania franchise once he becomes a free agent.
The move fits within the aggressive rebuild the Sixers are constructing around LeBron James. Caldwell-Pope already knows what it's like to compete alongside him: both were NBA champions with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, part of that roster defined by defense, experience, and perimeter balance.
KCP comes off playing the 2025/26 season with the Memphis Grizzlies, where he averaged 8.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in just over 21 minutes per game. He's not arriving to be a primary option, but rather to do exactly what he's done for much of his career: defend, space the floor, and provide veteran savvy in big games.
His departure from Memphis seemed like a matter of time. The Grizzlies had been working for weeks on a formula to part ways, whether through trade or buyout, and Philadelphia now appears as the chosen destination.
For the Sixers it would be another competitive-profile reinforcement: a 3&D specialist, two-time NBA champion with experience in contending locker rooms. If confirmed after the buyout, Philadelphia will add a very useful rotation piece to accompany LeBron, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Jaylen Brown.
