The main talking point about the assets the Memphis Grizzlies received in their trade with the Orlando Magic was the four first-round draft picks they acquired in the deal for Desmond Bane. However, two productive role players were also acquired in Kentavious-Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony, along with an additional pick swap.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope checks off what the Grizzlies need more than Cole Anthony as a veteran who has been a starter on two championship teams, and as the ultimate glue guy. He is a career 36.7% shooter from three and is one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA without taking a step back at age 32.
The Grizzlies would be wise to keep him if they can, as his $21.6 million contract could be really valuable at a later time after the team finds out if he can truly be a part of making their team convert from good to great. With two years remaining on his deal following a down season in his lone year with the Magic, Memphis must rebuild his value as a veteran role player.
Caldwell-Pope is the perfect mentor for Jaylen Wells
When thinking about what Jaylen Wells brought to the Grizzlies as a rookie, flashes of Caldwell-Pope's role with the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets championship teams come to mind. Trading Desmond Bane opened up the starting shooting guard position to be Jaylen Wells' for the taking after starting the majority of his rookie season at small forward.
Keeping Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as either the starter at shooting guard with Jaylen Wells at small forward, or bringing him off the bench as a 3-and-D reserve wing, should be the Grizzlies' plan for rebuilding his value. He struggled shooting with the Orlando Magic last season, but didn't play next to true playmakers like he did in his best shooting seasons with the Lakers and Nuggets.
He shot only 34.2% from three last season after four consecutive seasons shooting 39% and higher from 2020-2024, including shooting over 40% in three of those seasons. Playing next to Ja Morant will help give Caldwell-Pope his touch back for the Grizzlies to be able to maximize using him in a deal later. Bringing in their future starting forward to align with what their roster needs the most to contend should be their highest priority, and Caldwell-Pope will likely be needed to execute it.
Caldwell-Pope is a great fit next to Morant and a mentor for Wells, but due to his contract, the team would be better off utilizing him early as a player to be considered as trade bait at next season's trade deadline. At that point, his value should be rebuilt enough after half a season next to Morant to bring the Grizzlies their missing piece.