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Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports that the Detroit Pistons have renounced their rights to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, making him an unrestricted free agent. The Pistons were “reluctant” to meet his $25 million-plus asking price, said Woj.
Shortly after that, Woj reported the Nets are “strong contenders” in the chase for KCP, assuming their pursuit for Otto Porter Jr. fails.
Assuming Washington matches on Otto Porter sheet, Brooklyn will be a strong contender in the pursuit of Caldwell-Pope, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/pDNMtsnReg
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 7, 2017
Woj also writes that the Nets are interested in pairing Caldwell-Pope with D’Angelo Russell as the backcourt of the future.
“The Brooklyn Nets are planning to be an aggressive pursuer of Caldwell-Pope, angling to pair him in a young backcourt with D'Angelo Russell, league sources told ESPN.”
Later Friday, Woj tweeted that the Nets now believe that the Wizards will match on Otto Porter and Brooklyn will turn to signing KCP.
Message is clear to Brooklyn now: Washington's matching Porter's $106M offer sheet, and Nets soon back on market with space to pursue KCP. https://t.co/nqYZshmsTp
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 7, 2017
Woj later reported that the Los Angeles Lakers, among others, might chase him as well.
Sources: If Caldwell-Pope's willing to do a one-year balloon deal, the Los Angeles Lakers have significant interest in pursuing him.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 7, 2017
However, with so little cap space available next summer, would Caldwell-Pope really want to risk injury —and a smaller deal— in 2018? Doesn’t make a lot of sense. It might have made since for 33-year-old J.J. Redick to take a $23 million deal with Philly, but KCP doesn’t have 10 years of high salary banked away like Redick does.
Still, as Bobby Marks said Friday, KCP will automatically become the top free agent target.
How much might Caldwell-Pope want? Jake Fischer of Sports Illustrated provides a range.
Pistons' highest offer to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was 5 years, $80 million, per source. Salary "wasn't even close" to what KCP is seeking.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) July 7, 2017
There are issues the Nets run into, of course. Tim Bontemps reports the release of the Nets money offered Porter can be delayed until Wednesday, pending a physical with the Wizards. The Wizards have to make a decision by midnight Saturday, but can prolong the process to put the Nets in a difficult position to sign free agents going forward.
The question is will they? Neither Porter’s agent nor the players union would likely be happy.
The big indication that the Wizards will match came Friday afternoon. Washington renounced their rights to ex-Net Bojan Bogdanovic, clearing some space. If the Wizards had hung on to Bogdanovic, it could have been interpreted as Washington holding on to a possible Porter replacement.
Bogdanovic later signed with the Pacers, a two-year, $21 million deal, with the second year only partially guaranteed. Bogdanovic is 28.
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Lost Free Agency - Shaker Samman - The Ringer
- Pistons renouncing rights to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - Adrian Wojnarowski - ESPN
- Nets have intriguing free-agent Plan B — if they’re not screwed by timing - Brian Lewis - New York Post
- Nets’ offer to Otto Porter Jr. hurts potential pursuit of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - Greg Logan - Newsday
- Farewell to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - Jamie Delancey - Detroit Bad Boys
- 2017 NBA Free Agency Rumor: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope rejected 5-year, $80 million deal from Pistons - Sean Corp - Detroit Bad Boys