The first move of the 2026 NBA transfer market

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will continue wearing the Memphis Grizzlies jersey during the 2026-27 season. The veteran guard has decided to exercise the player option included in his contract, valued at 21.6 million dollars, thus ensuring his stay with the franchise for one more year.

The information, reported by Shams Charania of ESPN, confirms that the two-time NBA champion will not test free agency and will fulfill the final year of the three-season contract he signed before joining Memphis.

The decision brings stability to the Grizzlies, who will continue to have a player with extensive experience in the league despite his last season being marked by injuries and below-average statistical performance.

The past season was not easy for Caldwell-Pope. In February, he had to undergo surgery to correct a misalignment in the little finger of his right hand, an injury that forced him to end his season prematurely.

The guard missed the last 31 games of the season, depriving Memphis of a player with experience on both ends of the court during the crucial stage of the competition.

This absence marked a season in which he also could not find the necessary continuity to regain his best form.

His lowest numbers since his rookie year

At 33 years old, Caldwell-Pope played a total of 51 games with the Grizzlies, starting in 14 of them.

During that period, he averaged 8.4 points, 2.7 assists, and 2.5 rebounds in 21.3 minutes per game, also shooting 49.5% from two-point range and 31.6% from three-point range.

These are his most modest figures in both scoring and minutes since his rookie NBA season, reflecting a very different campaign compared to his previous years.

A Contract Entering Its Final Year

The decision to exercise the player option means completing the final season of the three-year, 66-million-dollar contract that ties the veteran to the Tennessee franchise.

Caldwell-Pope landed in the Grizzlies last summer from the Orlando Magic as part of the deal that sent Desmond Bane elsewhere.

With this decision, Memphis retains a player with extensive NBA experience and a background in high-pressure scenarios.

A Specialist Looking to Regain His Best Form

Throughout his career, Caldwell-Pope has established himself as one of the most reliable players defensively and a constant threat from the perimeter.

However, his three-point shooting percentages have significantly declined over the past two seasons.

The veteran has not been able to surpass 34.2% from beyond the arc in that period, a figure far below the consistency he had shown earlier.

Before the 2024-25 season, Caldwell-Pope had strung together four consecutive seasons shooting at or above 39% from three-point range, establishing himself as one of the most efficient specialists in the league.

Memphis Retains a Player with Championship Experience

The continuity of the guard also ensures the presence of one of the most experienced competitors in the Grizzlies' locker room.

Caldwell-Pope knows what it takes to win a championship, having lifted the NBA trophy twice, first with the Los Angeles Lakers and then with the Denver Nuggets.

Although his offensive role has decreased in recent seasons, his track record and basketball IQ remain valuable assets for any team.

Now, after exercising his player option, he will face a new season in Memphis with the goal of overcoming the physical issues that marked the last year and regaining the level that made him one of the best role players in the league for several seasons, especially due to his defense and ability to stretch the floor with his outside shooting.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El primer movimiento del mercado de fichajes NBA 2026