The 76ers may have a familiar late-game option coming off the bench next season, and it isn’t Dean Wade.
Wade is expected to draw plenty of attention as a reserve with the kind of defensive versatility and low-usage impact that can swing closing minutes. But Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is right there too, and he could end up being the steadier answer for Nick Nurse when the game tightens.
That possibility says a lot about why Philadelphia brought him in. Caldwell-Pope arrived this offseason after the Grizzlies bought out his contract, and his connection to LeBron James helped make him a key addition for the 76ers. He may not be the flashiest newcomer in the group, but his game fits the kind of situations that decide wins.
Wade might be the more obvious candidate to get the first look in a closing lineup. Caldwell-Pope, though, brings something just as useful: defense, three-point shooting and the ability to handle smaller, quicker opponents. If Nurse wants to lean into those traits, KCP makes a lot of sense as a late-game option.
The default finishing group still figures to be Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, James and Joel Embiid. But if the 76ers need more defense or more shooting, Nurse could make a switch, and Caldwell-Pope would be a sensible fit against certain lineups.
That’s been Caldwell-Pope’s value for a long time. He’s a two-time NBA champion with the Nuggets and the Lakers, and he has built a reputation as one of the league’s steadiest three-and-D role players. He also has a history of delivering in big moments, which only strengthens his case as someone the staff can trust when the pressure rises.
His usefulness would not stop there. If Philadelphia has to deal with injuries or load management, Caldwell-Pope could slide into a bigger role without much trouble. He has started nearly 800 games in his career, so handling more responsibility would not be unfamiliar territory.
The 76ers added proven veterans this summer, and Caldwell-Pope is a big part of that. Beyond the name recognition, he brings stability, defense and the kind of low-maintenance production that can earn a player more than just a bench role. It could also put him in the mix to close games.
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Krejcis appeal is rooted in the kind of role the 76ers could use right now. He has shown a career ability to hit from deep, but his place in Portland has shrunk enough to make him a plausible trade target rather than a centerpiece. If Philadelphia is looking for a way to add shooting without draining its assets, this is the sort of quietly practical option worth keeping on the radar. [Read more 🡒]
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Philadelphias interest, though, appears tied to one major organizational choice, because the teams financial constraints could push any move deeper into the season rather than right away. Love is also weighing other options, with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz among the teams in the mix, so the Sixers may need to decide how much patience they have if they want to stay in position for a late-season addition. [Read more 🡒]
Labaron Philon Jr. Already Faces A Big 76ers Role Test
Labaron Philon Jr. is already stepping into a situation that will ask a lot from him in Philadelphia. The 76ers are looking at him as a secondary scorer and a floor spacer, which means the early conversation is less about what he can do with the ball and more about how well he can fit alongside the players already in place.
Training camp should give Philon his first real chance to show that he can handle those duties consistently. For a player trying to carve out minutes on a roster with established scorers, the ability to stay effective off the ball may matter just as much as any flashes he shows with it. [Read more 🡒]