Report: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope declining his $15.4 million player option with Denver Nuggets, will become a free agent

Veteran Denver Nuggets shooting guard and two-time NBA champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is declining a player option in his contract and testing free agency, according to Shams Charania. NBA free agency begins at 6 p.m. on June 30.

Caldwell-Pope’s player option would’ve paid him $15.4 million for the 2024-25 season to stick with the defending champion Nuggets. According to Charania, Caldwell-Pope is expected to get interest from teams with excess salary cap space.

An 11-year NBA veteran, Caldwell-Pope has averaged 11.4 points per game in his career.

The Nuggets are set to pay one of its stars

Denver Nuggets star guard Jamal Murray is reportedly close to signing a huge contract extension. The Nuggets are close to signing the former Kentucky star to a four-year deal worth more than $200 million, according to Shams Charania.

“Denver and star Jamal Murray are working toward a four-year, $209 million maximum contract extension this offseason, sources tell [The Athletic and Stadium]. Nuggets will present the deal to Murray – a 2023 NBA champion and one of the best clutch players – and sides expect agreement,” Charania said.

Murray helped the Nuggets to the 2023 NBA Championship. He averaged 21.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game this past season.

What happens with Bronny James remains a top draft storyline in Day 2

In the first-ever two-day NBA Draft, the No. 1 talking point heading into Thursday’s second round is Bronny James and whether he comes off the board.

The one-and-done USC product and son of LeBron James was saddled on one of the most underwhelming teams in the country, a preseason top-25 team that failed to win half their games. Meanwhile, James suffered through a heart issue that sidelined him for a while, then came back as a minor contributor off the bench.

Despite a tough go as a freshman, James decided to enter the NBA Draft and is still on the board heading into day two. According to Shams Charania, though, he will likely hear his name called.

“The expectation is for him to get drafted today in round two,” Charania said during his appearance on the Pat McAfee Show. He emphasized that the James camp is looking for a home that truly believes in him.

“For everyone around Bronny James throughout this pre-draft process, his agent Rich Paul at Klutch Sports, it’s been about investment, finding a team that’s willing and wants to invest a multi-year contract in him.”

Right now, there’s two likely suspects, per Charania.

“He worked out for two NBA teams, the Phoenix Suns and the Lakers. That was intentional; finding teams that believe in him, are going to invest a multi-year contract in him.”