Full Breakdown
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Negotiates Buyout to Rejoin LeBron James with the Philadelphia 76ers
7/25/2026, 12:01:47 PM
Core Event: Buyout Talks and Intended Signing
Veteran wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is in the final stages of a buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies and plans to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers once he clears waivers. The move would reunite him with former Los Angeles Lakers teammate LeBron James, who signed a two-year, $8 million contract with a player option earlier this offseason.
Background & Context
Caldwell-Pope entered the NBA in 2013 and won his first championship alongside James during the 2019-20 Lakers’ bubble run. He later contributed to the Denver Nuggets’ 2022-23 title as a starter. After a three-year, $66 million contract with the Orlando Magic in July 2024 failed to produce the expected production, he was dealt to Memphis as part of the Desmond Bane trade.
LeBron James, now 41, announced his decision to finish his career in Philadelphia, prompting the Sixers to explore additional roster upgrades to complement his arrival.
Data & Statistics
- Career earnings: $147 million across NBA contracts.
- Current salary: $21.6 million player-option salary for the 2024-25 season.
- Three-point shooting:
- 36.9 % over the first 11 career seasons.
- 33.3 % across the last two seasons.
- 31.6 % in the most recent Memphis season.
- Cap situation: The Sixers are $460,000 into the first-apron hard cap after James’s contract, requiring additional salary-shed to accommodate Caldwell-Pope’s veteran-minimum deal (estimated $2.45 million). Non-guaranteed contracts for Dalen Terry ($0 guaranteed) and Jabari Walker ($250,000 guaranteed) are the most likely candidates for removal.
Official Statements & Responses
Rich Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports Group, confirmed to Shams Charania that James signed a two-year, $8 million deal with a player option. Chris Haynes, an NBA insider, reported that Caldwell-Pope is negotiating a buyout with Memphis and intends to join Philadelphia once cleared.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Caldwell-Pope’s recent three-point accuracy: one cites a 33.3 % rate over the past two seasons, another records 31.6 % for the most recent season. No source provides the exact discount the Grizzlies will receive in the buyout, leaving the final financial terms unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “LeBron James is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers for his final run at another NBA championship, he announced Friday,” — ESPN’s Dave McMenamin
- “The Philadelphia 76ers should prioritize defense and three-point shooting after LeBron James signed with the team this offseason,” — Athlon Sports’ Paolo Songco
What’s Next
Philadelphia must finalize the removal of at least one non-guaranteed contract—most likely Dalen Terry and possibly Jabari Walker—to create a roster spot and bring its salary below the first-apron threshold. Once cleared, Caldwell-Pope is expected to sign a veteran-minimum contract and compete for minutes at the small-forward position, likely sharing time with Justin Edwards. Further roster adjustments may follow if the Sixers pursue additional depth before the season begins.
