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NBA Trade Idea: Lakers Acquire Kentavious Caldwell-Pope From Grizzlies

Originally posted on Hoops Wire | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Aug 11, 2025 3:44 PM ET

An NBA trade idea where the Los Angeles Lakers acquire Kentavious Caldwell-Pope from the Memphis Grizzlies has been created.

Jacob Rude of SB Nation’s Silver Screen And Roll created the following trade idea between the Lakers and Grizzlies:

Memphis Grizzlies get: Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber

Los Angeles Lakers get: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Caldwell-Pope was traded by the Orlando Magic to the Grizzlies on June 15. The veteran played for the Lakers from 2018-21.

In 77 games for the Magic last season, Caldwell-Pope averaged 8.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.4 blocks while shooting 43.9% from the field, 34.2% from beyond the arc and 86.3% from the free-throw line. The 32-year-old will make $21.6 million next season.

Caldwell-Pope helped the Lakers win the 2020 championship against the Miami Heat at the Walt Disney World bubble. He has the same agent (Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group) as LeBron James.

“Lakers fans have seen how well KCP plays next to stars firsthand,” Rude wrote. “Even if his game has dropped off, he’s still a 3&D wing and you can never have too many of those. It’s a far more useful way for the Lakers to spend their money than on Vincent and Kleber.”

KCP is a two-time NBA champion. He won his second ring with the Denver Nuggets in 2023. The Georgia native has career averages of 11.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Detroit Pistons, Lakers, Washington Wizards, Nuggets and Magic.

The Lakers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games. President of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka hasn’t made any trades this offseason, but he did sign Jake LaRavia, Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart.

Los Angeles head coach JJ Redick will likely start Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, James and Ayton next season. If Pelinka trades for Caldwell-Pope, Redick can have KCP, LaRavia and Smart run the second unit.