The Memphis Grizzlies are still reshaping the roster after the Ja Morant trade, and now it looks like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is next out the door.
NBA insider Chris Haynes reported on X that the Grizzlies and Caldwell-Pope are closing in on a parting resolution. That could mean a trade or a buyout that sends the veteran guard to free agency sooner rather than later. The team has not confirmed anything, but the writing has been on the wall for a while.
Caldwell-Pope landed in Memphis last offseason as part of the Desmond Bane trade that shipped Bane to Orlando. He played 51 games for the Grizzlies, averaging 8.4 points per game before a right pinkie finger misalignment sidelined him in February. He had surgery and missed the rest of the season.
Back in the offseason, KCP opted into his $21.6 million player option for 2026-27. That wasn’t a shock. The Grizzlies have been tightening their payroll and shifting directions ever since they moved on from Morant. A $21.6 million cap hit for a role player on a rebuilding team is the kind of number that makes front offices start looking for an exit ramp.
What Does KCP Offer a Contender?
Caldwell-Pope is 33 now. He isn’t the lockdown defender he was during his Denver championship run, but he’s still a smart, rangy wing who can guard multiple positions. And his three-point shooting — career 37 percent — plays in any system. Teams chasing a title next season could use a guy who has been there before, hit big shots, and won’t get tight in the fourth quarter.
The tricky part is the contract. Trading for a $21.6 million expiring deal is easier said than done. Teams that want him might wait until he hits the buyout market, where he’d cost a fraction of that number. That’s probably the path both sides end up taking.
Memphis has already made it clear they’re building around younger players and future flexibility. Moving Caldwell-Pope — whether by trade or release — is the next logical step. And for KCP, a fresh start with a playoff team might be exactly what he needs after a frustrating, injury-shortened year in Tennessee.
What’s Next
Haynes didn’t give a timeline, but these things tend to move fast once they leak. Expect resolution before the offseason really heats up. A handful of contenders — Milwaukee, Miami, maybe Dallas — could use a steady veteran wing. Caldwell-Pope won’t be out of work for long.
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