As we approach the restricted free agency contract extension deadline of October 31st, it’s time to look at possible trades for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Over the last few weeks, articles have started to pop up everywhere contemplating the future of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Writers and fans have argued that the Pistons should pay him any amount he asks, match any offer he receives, trade him immediately, or even let him walk.
In recent years, few Detroit players have been as divisive for fans as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and as the pressure mounts during this contract extension period, opinions and emotions are destined to flair. In a recent article, “What to do with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope” I laid out the Pistons options as they plan for his future. However, there was one option that needed to be explored in more depth.
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What if the Pistons decide the price to keep Caldwell-Pope is too high? What if Pistons’ owner Tom Gores, after all the talk, decides he really doesn’t want to pay the luxury tax? For that matter, what if it becomes apparent that the Pistons and Caldwell-Pope are just too far apart financially to come to an agreement?
While this article is absolutely not advocating for trading Caldwell-Pope, to be unprepared for that possibility would be a mistake. For that reason, this article will leave no stone unturned in an effort to fully explore all available options. This article will scour every NBA roster, research every teams’ needs and opportunities, and present a trade offer for all 29 NBA teams. This will be done to explore what options may be out there for the Pistons if they were forced to move Caldwell-Pope. Just seeing these options may be enough for the Pistons and their fans to decide they are willing to do whatever it takes to bring him back.
For this experiment, we must agree on some assumptions:
- We are assuming the Pistons have decided not to extend or use their restricted free agency rights to resign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and in doing so are actively pursuing to trade him.
- We are assuming the trade will be performed before the trade deadline this year, yet after any time restriction held on a player due to the signing of a new contract this summer.
- For efficiency, all trades are swaps only involving two teams.
- Some trades involve Lorenzo Brown*, we assume his contract for trades, but if the Pistons waive him and choose to keep Ray McCallum Jr. instead, his contract can be substituted and the trade will still work.
- All trades were confirmed to be in accordance of the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement and/or checked using ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine.
That is it. In the pages to follow we will explore 29 trades for KCP, one trade with every team in the league. Let us look deeper and see if there is any merit in seeking a trade for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
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