Apr 29, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) holds his ankle in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

NBA Free Agency: Magic Expected to Sign Elite 3-and-D Player

Lou Aguila

The Orlando Magic nabbed their main free-agency target this offseason in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, signing one of the league’s best 3-and-D players to a three-year, $66 million deal with a player option on the third year, per NBA insider Michael Scotto of USA Today.

Caldwell-Pope will provide elite perimeter defense and three-point shooting to a Magic team that took the No.3 seed Cleveland Cavaliers to the limit in their best-of-seven series.

After stops with the Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, and Denver Nuggets, the 31-year-old veteran will take his talent and experience to Orlando, which is gearing up for a deeper playoff run next season.

Caldwell-Pope averaged 10.1 points on 46 FG% and 40 3PT% while posting 1.3 steals per game during the 2023-24 regular season. His numbers dipped in this year’s playoffs, averaging 8.1 points on 39 FG% and 32 3PTS%.

Despite his recent playoff struggles, Caldwell-Pope will play a significant role in helping the Magic shore up their perimeter defense and three-point shooting. Orlando ranked in the bottom quadrant of the league in three-point shooting teams in the regular season (35.2 3PT%) and the playoffs (30.9 3PT%).

Caldwell-Pope, a career 36% three-point shooter, will also bring his championship pedigree to the Magic. He’s a two-time NBA champion, winning with the Lakers and the Nuggets.

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