Apr 3, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Orlando Magic guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (3) holds his face after an elbow by Washington Wizards guard Bub Carrington (8) in the second half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Reveals Shocking Details About Trade From Orlando Magic

Originally posted on Orlando Magic on SI
By Andrew Cherico | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 7:43 PM ET

The Orlando Magic moved on quickly from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope after signing him to a three-year $66 million contract last summer. The intent was adding a veteran three-and-D wing who could provide leadership to a young roster chasing title contention.

With $21 million owed each of the next two seasons, the Magic added the two-time champion in the massive haul for Desmond Bane.

In a recent appearance on The Dawg Talk Podcast, Caldwell-Pope said he knew about the trade before it became public.

"I knew before everybody," Caldwell-Pope stated. "It wasn't really breaking news for me. It happened on Father's Day. I'm on vacation with my family. It's almost noon, and I'm going to my bag to get something on my phone and my phone is vibrating, but I don't get to it in time, so I'm checking, and it's my agent, and he never calls me multiple times, like three or four times I'm like damn let me get to my phone and call him back. As soon as I call, I just got traded to the Grizzlies. Quick shock, because it’s Father's Day. This type of news couldn't wait to leave on Monday?"

KCP speaks on his initial reaction to the trade:

“I knew before everybody, it wasn’t breaking news to me…shocked as it hit me because it’s Fathers Day but the more I thought about it, the team I’m going to, the players I’m gonna play with, the more excited I got” https://t.co/bD7mWIx7br pic.twitter.com/tRubiX9iR7
— Huncho Hoops (@HunchoHoops) June 20, 2025

While wishing Caldwell-Pope a happy Father’s Day on social media, his wife, McKenzie, shared that they were on a boat when the news broke.

"We were in the middle of the ocean yesterday when we got the news about KCP going to the Grizzlies" the post said. "Not the news we were expecting on vacation, but we are excited to take on a new city with our crew. To our protector, provider, and the heartbeat of our household @caldwellpope Happy Father's Day!"