{"id":85783,"date":"2024-07-13T11:32:06","date_gmt":"2024-07-13T15:32:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=85783"},"modified":"2024-07-13T11:32:06","modified_gmt":"2024-07-13T15:32:06","slug":"nuggets-michael-malone-plan-replace-free-agent-kentavious-caldwell-pope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/07\/13\/nuggets-michael-malone-plan-replace-free-agent-kentavious-caldwell-pope\/","title":{"rendered":"Nuggets Head Coach Discusses Plan to Replace Key Free Agent"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Denver Nuggets were more comfortable letting Kentavious Caldwell-Pope<\/a> leave in free agency than anyone expected.<\/p>\n

Arriving as a free agent in 2022, his perimeter skills were integral to Denver\u2019s success during their championship run. The Georgia native was hot beyond the arc in 2022-23, converting a career-high 42.3 percent of his 3s. Though his efficiency fell a bit in the playoffs, he still made 38.0 percent of his long-distance attempts. Playing tight perimeter defense all the while, often against their opponent\u2019s best wing scorer, he was immaculate.<\/p>\n

Nuggets\u2019 Michael Malone Discusses Plan to Replace Kentavious Caldwell-Pope<\/h2>\n

With Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth quickly singling out Christian Braun<\/a> as Caldwell-Pope\u2019s replacement in the starting lineup, it does appear that they had a succession plan<\/a>.<\/p>\n

That being said, as Braun is coming off his best season, he\u2019s arguably the best option. At 6-foot-6 and 218 pounds, the former first-round pick is an above-average athlete with solid positional defense. Making 38.4 percent of his 3s in the 2023-24 regular season, he looked the part of a 3-and-D wing, albeit one who thrives in transition<\/a>.<\/p>\n