The Brooklyn Nets are expected to make Detroit Pistons guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope a top priority in free agency this summer, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post.
With up to $33 million to spend — and seemingly as many holes to fill on the roster — the Nets will be looking to strike it big in free agency this summer. And Tuesday they got an up-close look at one of their top targets: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Both scouts and former teammates told The Post that Caldwell-Pope, who had 19 points and four rebounds in a 98-96 loss to the Nets Tuesday, has become the most important piece on a Pistons roster that features All-Star Andre Drummond, and young standouts Reggie Jackson and Tobias Harris. That’s why Brooklyn is expected to make the two-way wing a top priority this summer.
“You can make the argument that he’s their most important player now. So I think that just shows you the impact that he’s had. He’s gone from defender to arguably their MVP,” said Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie, who was drafted by Detroit in 2014 and spent his first two seasons playing alongside Caldwell-Pope.
Caldwell-Pope, 23, has averaged 14.2 points, 2.7 assists and 34 minutes in 66 games with Detroit this season.
Drafted by the Pistons in 2013, Caldwell-Pope is in the final year of a four-season contract with the team that paid just $3.7M this season. He is expected to garner significant interest on the open market, a market that is somewhat lacking talented two-way players at the guard position.
Nets coach Kenny Atkinson, per Brian Lewis, spoke highly of Caldwell-Pope when asked about him.
“I’m impressed,’’ Atkinson said when asked about Caldwell-Pope. “I love how he competes, how he competes on the defensive end. That’s really the essence of what I see when I watch him play. He plays with force, he competes on the defensive end.
“On a given night he can get 35 on you easily. His speed off the ball, coming off those [dribble handoffs], flying off and somehow [you’re] going to have to find a way to stay attached, stay close to him.”
Nets general manager Sean Marks has interest in bringing in young talent for the future, and is also expected to take a hard look at Wizards free agent Otto Porter. Both Caldwell-Pope and Otto Porter fit the description for what Brooklyn is seeking.
Recently, a report from The Vertical indicated that the Pistons are against paying Caldwell-Pope a max contract. Should Detroit hold off and Caldwell-Pope remain intent on receiving a max offer, perhaps a team like the Nets could swoop in and steal him.
The NBA’s annual free agency period begins on July 1st, with players becoming eligible to sign their contracts on July 5th.
