Nuggets reportedly unwilling to facilitate Kentavious Caldwell-Pope sign-and-trade with Mavericks: Report

After declining his player option, Denver Nuggets shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope could be on the move during this summer's free agency. Among his reported suitors are the reigning Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks. However, Denver is reportedly unwilling to facilitate a sign-and-trade deal with Dallas.

Caldwell-Pope has spent the last two years with the Nuggets after being acquired from the Washington Wizards in the 2022 offseason. He played a key role as a starter on last year's championship team, offering serviceable two-way wing production.

On June 15, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported on Denver's growing "concern" that the 11-year veteran would decline his $15.4 million player option for next season. Scotto added that he could "land a potential short-term offer for a higher salary" elsewhere.

On Thursday, The Athletic's Shams Charania and Tony Jones confirmed Caldwell-Pope's decision to test free agency.

NBA insider Marc Stein subsequently named the Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers and Dallas as three potential landing spots. However, Stein added that the Mavericks can only acquire Caldwell-Pope via a sign-and-trade, which the Nuggets are reluctant to orchestrate.

"League sources say that there would be mutual interest in free agency between Caldwell-Pope and the Dallas Mavericks … but Dallas could only get into Caldwell-Pope's projected salary range via a sign-and-trade," Stein wrote Thursday.

"It is believed that the Nuggets do not want to participate in a sign-and-trade with an in-conference rival—Dallas just supplanted Denver as the NBA's reigning Western Conference champion—even if that means losing Caldwell-Pope without compensation."

As Stein noted, Dallas snatched Denver's West crown after its seven-game Round 2 playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. So, it appears unlikely the Nuggets would consider helping improve arguably its biggest conference rival.

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Watch: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and James Harden enjoy downtime with family playing cornhole at picturesque Lake Como

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Nuggets prepared to move on from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope if necessary

While Denver would prefer to retain Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency, the franchise is reportedly bracing for his departure.

On Wednesday, Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth touched on Caldwell-Pope's contract situation. He highlighted how they will likely face difficulty re-signing him.

"Yeah, I think you have to look at everything, and the nature of free agency is that he’s unrestricted," Booth said. "So, we can try to bring him back, and if he doesn’t want to come back, or opts to go somewhere else, that’s his prerogative. ... I think we’re prepared to plug and play, so to speak."

Booth added that second-year wing Christian Braun would likely absorb most of Caldwell-Pope's playing time next season. According to Booth, the high-energy reserve has been highly favored by advanced stats, so he should make a seamless transition to the starting lineup.

"It would be nice if [Caldwell-Pope's] back, we’d have a lot of continuity together. But all the stuff I’ve looked at with lineup stuff and everything, Christian Braun is one of the best net rating guys in the league, as is KCP," Booth said. "So, I think if he’s to step into the starting lineup, I would project that we’ll be okay if KCP doesn’t return."

It's rare to hear front office personnel speak so candidly about the possibility of losing upcoming free agents. Thus, it appears more likely than not that Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will be on a new team next season.

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In Photos: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's wife Mckenzie pairs black swim top with colorful $1,180 shorts at Noah's Ark beach club