Contemporary off a slender first-round playoff exit, the Orlando Magic upgraded their protection, sturdiness and outdoors taking pictures on Sunday once they agreed to a three-year deal, $66 million deal with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, league sources stated.
Caldwell-Pope, 31, nearly definitely will slot because the Magic’s new beginning taking pictures guard, changing Gary Harris, whose tenure in Orlando was marred by accidents.
Caldwell-Pope will be the preferrred function participant so as to add to a younger nucleus that features All-Star energy ahead Paolo Banchero, small ahead Franz Wagner and combo guard and defensive standout Jalen Suggs.
Though Caldwell-Pope, who’s 6-foot-5, hasn’t acquired a lot recognition on NBA All-Defensive crew voting in recent times, he’s broadly considered one of many league’s most tenacious and most dependable perimeter defenders, somebody who can match up towards an opponent’s prime wing scorer.
He is also one the league’s higher wing 3-point shooters. During the last 4 seasons, Caldwell-Pope made 40.6 p.c of his 3-point tries on 4.5 makes an attempt per sport.
Three-point taking pictures was an space of great weak point for the Magic final season. Orlando completed the 2023-24 common season 24th in the league in 3-point shooting percentage, making solely 35.2 p.c of its makes an attempt.
Within the playoffs, with the Cleveland Cavaliers packing the paint and daring the Magic to aim long-range pictures, the Magic sank only 30.9 percent of their 3-point attempts.
Caldwell-Pope made vital contributions to 2 NBA championship groups, the 2019-20 Los Angeles Lakers and the 2022-23 Denver Nuggets, as a beginning wing. However he’s additionally recognized for his unselfishness; as a result of he ranks as a lower-usage wing, he shouldn’t take away from Banchero’s and Wagner’s shot makes an attempt whereas additionally serving as a further ballhandler and decision-maker when essential.
Caldwell-Pope, who spent the final two seasons with Denver, is also sturdy. He’s performed both 76 or 77 video games in every of the final three common seasons. He’ll slot in nicely with the Magic’s rugged protection, which completed the 2023-24 regular season third leaguewide in defensive efficiency.
The third season in Caldwell-Pope’s new deal will be a player option.
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(Photograph: Matthew Stockman / Getty Pictures)
