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Caldwell-Pope Exercises $21.6 M Option, Stays with Memphis

6/20/2026

Summary

Caldwell-Pope Exercises Option

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope exercised his $21.6 million option for 2026-27 on Tuesday, avoiding free agency.
The option completes the final year of his three-year, $66 million contract signed after June 2025 trade from Orlando for Desmond Bane.
After missing last 31 games of 2025-26 with finger surgery, he posted 8.4 points, 2.7 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 31.6% three-point shooting in 51 games and will be a free agent in summer 2027 as Memphis rebuilds.

Summary

Caldwell-Pope Trade Value

Caldwell-Pope’s $21.6 million option leaves the Memphis Grizzlies $1.2 million over the salary cap, making him a prime trade asset.
His $21.6 million salary now ranks among Memphis’ highest, limiting roster flexibility.
The prior Jaren Jackson Jr. trade to Utah yielded three first-round picks, boosting Memphis’ bargaining power.
Analysts say moving his expiring contract could free cap space for a 2027 free-agent push.

History

Historical Context

After the NBA reinstated a salary-cap in the 1984-85 season, limiting teams to about $3.6 million, the cap has risen to a soft limit tied to roughly 57 percent of basketball-related income. The 1995 collective-bargaining agreement forced the Chicago Bulls to trim Michael Jordan’s contract, and today the Memphis Grizzlies face a similar $1.2 million over-cap dilemma with Caldwell-Pope’s deal.

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Caldwell-Pope Exercises Option

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope exercised his $21.6 million option for 2026-27 on Tuesday, avoiding free agency.
The option completes the final year of his three-year, $66 million contract signed after June 2025 trade from Orlando for Desmond Bane.
After missing last 31 games of 2025-26 with finger surgery, he posted 8.4 points, 2.7 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 31.6% three-point shooting in 51 games and will be a free agent in summer 2027 as Memphis rebuilds.

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