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11/22/2024 06:01:34 am

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NBA News & Rumors: Pistons Set to Re-Sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope This Summer

Detroit Pistons shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

(Photo : Getty Images) The Pistons want to re-sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope this summer.

The Detroit Pistons are reportedly planning to re-sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope this summer when the team's starting shooting guard enters free-agency.

No less than Pistons team owner Tom Gores confirmed the plan, saying that re-signing the 23-year-old wingman is the team's "top priority" in the coming offseason, as per ESPN.

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"I know Kentavious well. He is a hard worker. He is reliable and is improving every day," said Gores. "He should be a Piston. That's just bottom line. He has what it takes to be a Piston. He was a shy kid when I met him, and he's become a leader."

Caldwell-Pope was drafted eighth overall by Detroit in the 2013 NBA Draft. He has played all of his so far three seasons in the NBA with the Pistons and has grown to become one of the better wing defenders in the league right now.

The former Georgia Bulldogs standout is averaging 14.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.3 steals in 33.6 minutes per game in 40 games so far this season and is a key contributor of head coach and team president Stan Van Gundy's starting unit.

Caldwell-Pope is headed to restricted free-agency at the end of the season after he and the Pistons failed to reach a contract extension agreement before last year's Oct. 31 deadline. As a restricted free-agent, Caldwell-Pope can receive offers from other teams but Detroit has the right to match any bids from interested squads. He can also opt to accept a new contract with the Pistons.

However, Gores said that the club is keen to re-sign him back this summer.

Meanwhile, Caldwell-Pope recently told reporters that he is not worried about his upcoming free-agency and is only focusing on the season at hand.

"Right now, I'm just focused on the season," said Caldwell-Pope, via the Detroit Free Press. "I can only focus on what I can control. Being a restricted free agent next summer, that's months away, so that's the least of my worries right now."

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