Detroit Pistons: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope suspended by NBA

The NBA suspended Detroit Pistons’ guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope two games to start the season following his DUI back in March.

The NBA has announced Kentavious Caldwell-Pope‘s suspension for the coming season. The guard was arrested in March for a suspected DUI just a few hours after a tough loss against the Miami Heat all but ended the competitive portion of the Detroit Pistons‘ season.

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After being pulled over, KCP registered a 0.098 BAC at the scene. An hour later at the police station, he registered a 0.08 BAC. The Michigan legal limit is 0.08.

Stan Van Gundy expressed support for KCP on behalf of the organization, refusing to allow speculation about his character. The Pistons opted not to apply disciplinary measures to KCP in the aftermath, deciding to allow the NBA’s process to run its course.

The NBA will suspend him for the first two games of the coming 2017-18 season. KCP is about to be a restricted free agent, but it’s unlikely this suspension will affect the offers he gets in July.

NBA announces that #Pistons Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is suspended for the first two games of the season, after his OWI guilty plea.
— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) June 23, 2017

Fellow restricted free agent Reggie Bullock is also subject to a five-game suspension to start the season for violating the NBA’s drug policy, but this suspension may actually impact his value on the free agent market. While KCP is almost certain to return to the Pistons next season, Bullock’s situation is less secure.

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If the Pistons were to retain both of them, this would mean that two players who saw action at shooting guard this past season have a combined seven games worth of suspensions to start the coming season. This could provide both incoming rookie Luke Kennard and Stanley Johnson some extra minutes to start the season.

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