Denver Nuggets GM Calvin Booth met with the media after the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft. Most of the conversation was about the Nuggets trading up to draft DaRon Holmes II, but Booth was asked about the free agency for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Booth mentioned that the Nuggets have to consider all factors when re-signing a player, as does the player when re-signing with a team. Re-signing Caldwell-Pope would come at a significant financial cost for Denver, as they will be a second-apron team with him in the fold.
“Yeah, I think you have to look at everything and the nature of free agency is that he’s unrestricted. So, we can try to bring him back and if he doesn’t want to come back or opts to go somewhere else, that’s his prerogative so we’ll have to work with that,” Booth said. “So, I think we’re prepared to like plug and play so to speak. When you look at some of the teams that have been good in the past, they had to find a way to replace fourth, fifth starters, sixth men off the bench and still keep rolling. It would be nice if he’s back, we’d have a lot of continuity together, but all the stuff I’ve looked at with lineup stuff and everything, Christian Braun is one of the best net rating guys in the league, as is KCP. So, I think if he’s to step into the starting lineup, I would project that we’ll be OK if KCP doesn’t return.”
Caldwell-Pope has a $15.4 million player option for next season. The veteran shooting guard is expected to decline that option to explore free agency, which could include re-signing with the Nuggets.