Report: Nuggets give contract extension to new starting shooting guard

If you’re going to trade two starters, you need your main asset in return to be around for a little bit.

The Denver Nuggets made sure that will happen with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on Wednesday night, handing him a lucrative 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

Caldwell-Pope came over to the Nuggets earlier this offseason in a trade that saw Denver send Monte Morris and Will Barton to the Washington Wizards. The Nuggets also received point guard Ish Smith in the deal.

“KCP” was entering the final year of his deal in 2022-23 and was scheduled to make $14 million. This assures the Nuggets will have him for at least the next two seasons, if not three, but the final year of the deal is a player option according to Wojnarowski.

Caldwell-Pope averaged 13.2 points and 3.4 rebounds for Washington in 77 games (all starts) a season ago. He’s a very good wing defender and should be a clear upgrade over Barton. KCP was on the Los Angeles Lakers team that beat the Nuggets in the “bubble” on their way to an NBA title in 2020.

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