Yesterday it was announced that Kentavious Caldwell-Pope would undergo surgery for a right pinky misalignment and that a timetable would be determined after the procedure. Now, it has been announced that Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is done for the season following a successful procedure today.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was one of the featured players of the Desmond Bane trade to the Orlando Magic. Caldwell-Pope had a disappointing season in Orlando before ending up in Memphis for his 13th season in the NBA. The hope was for Caldwell-Pope to have a bounce-back season with the Grizzlies, but that did not end up materializing.
It was a largely disappointing season for KCP
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope appeared in 51 games and ended up making 14 starts before being benched for promising rookie Cedric Coward. Caldwell-Pope had some successful moments off the bench, but he simply struggled as the year went on. Caldwell-Pope averaged a career-low 8.4 points, but what stood out was this being his second straight year of inefficient shooting.
He shot just 41% from the field and a career-low 31.6% from three, despite having a long reputation of being a reliable shooter. There was some optimism that Caldwell-Pope's second-half performances last season were a better indication of the shooter he could be in Memphis, but it appears his offensive game is significantly declining. Caldwell-Pope has had an impressive career, but his value is at its absolute lowest now.
What's next for his career?
Currently, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has a player option heading into next season that is worth $21.6M. It is an interesting decision for him, as his current value is likely much lower than the option value. However, as he is getting closer to the end of his career, the two-time NBA champion could justifiably opt for free agency and try to find his way to a contender.
Regardless, Caldwell-Pope was always figured to be a short-term option in Memphis and not in the Grizzlies' long-term plans. Even if he picks up his option for next season, it is likely that he would potentially be traded as an expiring contract at the deadline. It will be interesting to see what unfolds next for Caldwell-Pope's future in Memphis.
The Memphis Grizzlies have been plagued by injuries all season, and Caldwell-Pope's injury is another hit to the Grizzlies' depth. The team will likely continue to be shorthanded throughout the rest of the season. With Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's season being over, the Grizzlies' young forwards will get even more opportunities to finish the season.