Former Lakers Champion Will be the X-Factor for Memphis Grizzlies

Although the Grizzlies traded away Desmond Bane this offseason, that doesn't mean they didn't get a great option in return

Mar 5, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) reacts toward guard Desmond Bane (22) and guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (1) during a time out in the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

The Memphis Grizzlies made a surprising trade this offseason when they sent Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for a haul of first-round draft picks, Cole Anthony, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

They used a few of those firsts to trade up and get Cedric Coward in the 2025 NBA Draft, and then they bought out Cole Anthony, as they have a deep guard rotation, and it didn't make sense to keep him at his price point. He has since signed with the Milwaukee Bucks, where he'll get more playing time than he would have in Memphis.

Oct 26, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) passes the ball as Orlando Magic guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (3) defends during the second half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope remains on the team, and it seems like he will. They believe he can be a great fit alongside the star duo of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., while providing the championship experience that they've been missing.

Caldwell-Pope is coming off a down year with the Orlando Magic, averaging just 8.7 PPG while shooting just 34.2% from three, his worst shooting season since his third year in the NBA. But Memphis is firm in its belief that he'll be able to bounce back.

BREAKING: The Memphis Grizzlies are trading Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks and one first-round pick swap, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/UcQnmHbgZb

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 15, 2025

How Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Can Best Impact Grizzlies

Caldwell-Pope was an instrumental part of two different championship teams: the 2020 Los Angeles Lakers and the 2023 Denver Nuggets. On both of those teams, he was able to play strong perimeter defense and hit open threes off the playmaking of LeBron James and Nikola Jokic. Orlando didn't have that same playmaking.

Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are great young players and will be consistent threats for the next decade, but they're still growing as playmakers. That limited Caldwell-Pope's opportunities as a catch-and-shoot threat. Those should open up with the lightning-in-a-bottle effect that is Ja Morant.

As great as Desmond Bane is as a secondary scorer, his defensive efficiencies set the team back at times. That will change with Caldwell-Pope, who is still a great on-ball perimeter defender. Memphis will undoubtedly miss Bane's shot creation and elite three-point shooting, but Caldwell-Pope shot at least 38.5% from three in the five seasons before last year, including three above 40%.

Assuming Caldwell-Pope bounces back to form from three, he should fill a much-needed void within the Grizzlies. However, if things go south, young wings Jaylen Wells and Cedric Coward could slot in to fill the gaps.

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