NBA Trade Rumors: 3 Teams Kentavious Caldwell-Pope could sign for this month

Over the last month, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has been continuously linked with a trade away from the Los Angeles Lakers.

Caldwell-Pope joined the Lakers back in the summer of 2017 and he was a regular starter during his debut season.

Starting 74 games, Caldwell-Pope averaged 13.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists, and Magic Johnson was impressed enough to reward the shooting guard with a new one-year contract worth $12 million.

Nevertheless, Caldwell-Pope has dropped down the Lakers rotation so far this season, and the player is currently averaging his lowest number of minutes since his rookie season (21.7 per game).

The Lakers tried to include the 25-year-old in a deal with the Phoenix Suns as they chased Trevor Ariza, although a deal fell through, and Ariza has since headed to Washington with the Wizards.

The former Pistons man is likely to attract further interest this month, and his recent 25 point performance against the Wizards served as a reminder of his talents. So with the Lakers looking to move the guard on, here are three potential trade destinations for Caldwell-Pope.

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#3 Miami Heat

The Miami Heat are trying to deliver a playoff appearance to Wade in his final season

The Miami Heat have made a poor start to the 18/19 NBA season, although they remain in playoff contention due to the lack of quality in the Eastern Conference.

Despite a 13-16 start, the Heat are only trailing the eighth-placed Orlando Magic by one game, and the team will be confident of making the postseason if they can make further additions.

Caldwell-Pope has been among the players linked with a move to Miami, although the franchise would struggle to take on his $12 million salary.

A three-team deal would make the trade possible, and this is something that could happen as the Heat become more desperate.

#2 Philadelphia 76ers

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope would add much-needed depth to a thin Philadelphia 76ers roster

The Philadelphia 76ers have completed the biggest trade of the season so far, although the stunning trade for Jimmy Butler left the team with a lack of depth.

While the Sixers starting trio of Butler, Ben Simmons, and Joel Embiid is incredibly strong, the team have few reliable players on the bench, and the team is currently looking to address this weakness.

Kevin O'Connor from The Atlantic has reported that the Philadelphia 76ers have serious interest in acquiring the 25-year-old, although his contract could still prove to be an obstacle to a deal being completed.

On the Lakers side of things, Magic Johnson would be happy to send Caldwell-Pope to a team competing in the Eastern Conference, and the Los Angeles team has the cap space to take on an expiring deal in order to make a trade with the Sixers work.

#1 Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets need to add more depth to their roster

The Houston Rockets have suffered a disastrous start to the season, and the team is in desperate need of additions.

In an offseason where Western teams such as the Thunder and Golden State Warriors got better, the Rockets got considerably worse, losing both Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute.

Last week, the Rockets were linked with a move for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, as The Athletic reported:

The Houston Rockets are emerging as a suitor for Los Angeles Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in multi-team trade scenarios.. in a desperate search for an upgrade at the wing, the Rockets are targeting Caldwell-Pope

Despite being rivals in the Western Conference, a trade looks likely, as the Lakers are desperate to trade Caldwell-Pope before his contract expires in the summer, and the Rockets have an evident interest in the 25-year-old.

A deal could go through before Christmas, and Carmelo Anthony may even be part of a trade.