Enough time has passed to process the Desmond Bane trade now, right? Even if not, it's time to talk about why Grizzlies fans should start to get really excited about Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Caldwell-Pope, commonly known by the nickname KCP, is a veteran player with championship-level experience. Prior to his time with the Orlando Magic, KCP was on the Denver Nuggets and helped lead the team to its first-ever NBA Championship in 2023.
Memphis acquired something they truly needed on the roster with KCP; he has been to the playoffs numerous times in his career, knows what it takes to win a championship, and has over 10 years of experience in the league. After trading Marcus Smart this past season, the Grizzlies lost that veteran leadership.
Smart battled through injuries and didn’t play a lot of minutes in a Grizzlies uniform, but having his veteran presence even on the bench or during team huddles was extremely valuable. Now Memphis has this again with KCP.
KCP's championship experience is the key
Some might argue that the Grizzlies do have a lot of players with postseason experience. Even this past season, Memphis made it to the playoffs to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round after their victory over the Dallas Mavericks in the play-in tournament. This was not the first time Ja Morant or Jaren Jackson Jr. had played postseason basketball either. However, what those players do not have is championship experience.
They have been in the NBA for less than 10 years. They are young, developing players with a ton of talent, just like the rest of the Grizzlies’ roster prior to the acquisition of KCP. Now with KCP, Memphis has its first teammate on the 2025-26 roster with 10 or more years of experience.
This is especially important for the playoffs because Memphis is a team that has recently struggled to get past the first or second round of the postseason. With a goal of winning the franchise’s first championship, this is where KCP’s leadership and championship DNA will be very helpful to the Grizzlies’ young core.
How will KCP fit in with everyone currently on the team? Only time will tell, but he will certainly be a valuable asset to pair alongside Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and especially Jaylen Wells, who is entering his second season in the NBA. The addition of KCP is just one of many changes that the Grizzlies have undergone in the last several months, so it’ll be exciting to see what they accomplish in the upcoming season as a new and improved unit.