The Denver Nuggets have had a somewhat quiet offseason so far, but in a way, they look like one of the winners of the NBA offseason simply because they are expecting Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. back at full health.
They have made some minor moves, such as acquiring guard Bruce Brown from the Brooklyn Nets, and now they have welcomed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope by giving him a two-year, $30 million contract extension.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has agreed on a two-year, $30M extension with the Denver Nuggets, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 14, 2022
This extension will keep Caldwell-Pope in Denver for at least two seasons.
The 6-foot-5 guard was originally traded to the Nuggets last week along with Ish Smith in return for Monte Morris and Will Barton.
One could argue against them giving up Barton and Morris, but one cannot deny that Caldwell-Pope can help the team take a step forward.
Caldwell-Pope Is A Very Reliable Outside Shooter
In 2020, when this current group of Nuggets reached the Western Conference Finals, they weren’t a strong 3-point shooting team, and they haven’t really improved in that department since.
In Caldwell-Pope, they’re getting someone who has made 39.5 percent of his 3-point attempts over the past three seasons, including 39.0 percent this past season.
He will be a nice outlet for Murray and Nikola Jokic, and he will make opposing teams pay for keying on those two stars.
Overall, Caldwell-Pope is a fairly efficient offensive player who has posted a true shooting percentage of 57.2 over the last five seasons.
In addition to consistently hitting from beyond the arc, he runs the floor well and is a reliable finisher in transition who can occasionally throw down dunks.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope bangs on Thon Maker. What did i just type. pic.twitter.com/IeIeqKvj67
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) March 16, 2019
This iteration of the Nuggets has always played at a slow pace, but Caldwell-Pope can give it the ability to fast-break a little more often.
While he isn’t a lockdown defender, he’s a somewhat above-average defender who can get steals and deflections that can lead to additional transition opportunities.
But there is something else about him that can also help the Nuggets get to the next level.
KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL POPE !!!!pic.twitter.com/NU03SqnuRO
— The Laker Files (@LakerFiles) January 19, 2020
He Has Championship Experience
After spending his first four seasons in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons, Caldwell-Pope made his way to the Los Angeles Lakers in the summer of 2017.
A year later, LeBron James came to L.A., and he was joined by Anthony Davis the following summer.
As a result, the Lakers won the world championship in 2020, and Caldwell-Pope was one of their most important role players on both ends of the floor.
That valuable experience of winning it all, not to mention being able to learn from one of the greatest players ever, will be invaluable to a Nuggets team that lacks players with that type of experience.
As of now, Caldwell-Pope is the only player on the Nuggets’ roster who has won a championship or even played in the NBA Finals.
It’s the type of experience that prevents someone from being overwhelmed by the moment, and he could even help teach his new teammates what it takes to get the job done come playoff time.
NEXT: Nuggets Seeking Experience With Latest Signing