Lakers, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope agree to one-year contract

The Los Angeles Lakers and free agent guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have agreed to a one-year US$18 million (AU23.5 million) contract, according to reports. Caldwell-Pope, known for his dodged perimeter defence, became an unrestricted free agent after the Detroit Pistons rescinded their qualifying offer to the former George standout.

The new Lakers front office, led by Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka, has been extremely conservative with their cap space, with eyes on the NBA Free Agency 2018 which will be headlined by LeBron James, Paul George, DeMarcus Cousins, Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul. Therefore, the Lakers were reluctant to offer Caldwell-Pope a multi-year deal. Previously, the Lakers could not acquire Dion Waiters and George Hill, who signed with the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers, respectively, on long-term contracts.

Rookie Lonzo Ball and Caldwell-Pope would form the Lakers' starting backcourt this coming season. The Lakers were in desperate need for a starting-calibre shooting guard after trading away D'Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets for Brook Lopez. While Lopez and fourth-year forward Julius Randle would form the starting frontcourt, Brandon Ingram is expected to start at Small Forward.

NBA Free Agency 2017: After KCP, Lakers target Rajon Rondo

According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Lakers are trying to add veteran point guard Rajon Rondo to the roster with the available Room Exception. "One remaining option for the team is free-agent point guard Rajon Rondo. Sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that Rondo and the Lakers met Tuesday, and the team is still trying to find a way to sign him, even after its agreement with Caldwell-Pope.

"Signing Rondo could fulfil the Lakers' desire to acquire a point guard on a one-year deal. The team selected point guard Lonzo Ball with the No. 2 overall pick in this year's NBA draft," Windhorst wrote in a report published Tuesday.

Caldwell-Pope, as a restricted free agent, had reportedly declined a five-year, US$80 million (AU$104 million) from the Pistons. After failing to re-sign Caldwell-Pope, the Pistons traded Marcus Morris to the Boston Celtics for versatile two-guard Avery Bradley. Stan Van Gundy, the coach and president of basketball operations for the Pistons, told media outlets that Bradley's acquisition made Caldwell-Pope expendable.

The 24-year-old Kentavious Caldwell-Pope would essentially be auditioning for a max contract in the summer of 2018, from either the Lakers or other interested suitors. Widely regarded as one of the best wing defenders in the NBA, Caldwell-Pope averaged 13.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the Pistons last season.