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Caldwell-Pope signs veteran-minimum deal with Sixers

7/26/2026

33 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will join the Philadelphia 76ers after a buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies.
He exercised his $21.6 million player option for 2026-27 and will sign a one-year, $3.9 million veteran-minimum contract.
The Sixers consider him a low-risk wing defender who adds bench depth as they clear cap space by waiving other non-guaranteed salaries.

History

Historical Context

The 1998-99 NBA lockout, a 204-day stoppage that ended Jan 20 1999, produced a new CBA negotiated by commissioner David Stern and NBPA director Billy Hunter. It capped individual salaries at $9-14 million, added a rookie pay scale and a luxury-tax penalty, changing cap management. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s $21.6 million option and a $3.9 million veteran-minimum deal with the Philadelphia 76ers show the lasting impact of that framework.

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Story summary

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will join the Philadelphia 76ers after a buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies.
He exercised his $21.6 million player option for 2026-27 and will sign a one-year, $3.9 million veteran-minimum contract.
The Sixers consider him a low-risk wing defender who adds bench depth as they clear cap space by waiving other non-guaranteed salaries.

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