NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 best shooting guards available
By Dre Elder
3. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a bit of a head-scratcher. There are times when he appears capable of being a top offensive option. But, Caldwell-Pope registered 27 single-digit scoring games during the 2016-17 campaign. He’s wildly inconsistent as his highs are really high and his lows are really low. Caldwell-Pope averaged 13.8 points on 12.2 shot attempts per game last season. This also speaks to his relative inefficiency. However, teams are likely willing to bet on his potential because he just turned 24 years old a few months ago and he’s already started 274 games in his four-year career.
The cliched p-word is applicable with Caldwell-Pope. He torched the New Orleans Pelicans for a career-high 38 points on 8-for-11 shooting from 3-point territory during a game on Feb. 1 last season. It’s usually the kind of performance that springboards a player towards a great stretch. Caldwell-Pope followed the breakout game with a 2-point showing in 36 minutes of action two days later. Therein lies the conundrum that is Caldwell-Pope. It’s proven arduous trying to gauge which his means.
Nonetheless, Caldwell-Pope will be in-demand during NBA Free Agency despite consistency questions. He shot a career-high 35 percent from distance last season. You can match him up defensively on three different positions. And maybe he can benefit from change of scenery and system. Again, the best thing he has going for him is the fact he’s only 24 years old.