2017 NBA Free Agency Rumor: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope rejected 5-year, $80 million deal from Pistons

The Detroit Pistons offered restricted free agent Kentavious Caldwell-Pope a five-year, $80 million contract but it was rejected by KCP’s representatives.

The $16 million a year offer “wasn’t even close” to what Caldwell-Pope was looking for in a new deal, according to Jake Fischer of Sports Illustrated.

While there is no official word on what KCP was actually looking for, he can make up to $24 million per season if signed to a full max contract.

If true, it turns out Stan Van Gundy let the NBA world know exactly how much he thought Caldwell-Pope was worth when he signed guard Langston Galloway to a three-year, $21 million deal.

That move hard-capped the Pistons and prevented them from having a payroll above $125 million. The most they could have paid KCP without going over that number? About $16 million per year.

Instead of bluster and obfuscation, Van Gundy put his cards on the table. This is what I think you’re worth and I’m going to make other moves with that reality in mind.

Caldwell-Pope said no thank you, and Detroit ultimately decided to trade for Avery Bradley to replace KCP. The Pistons ultimately rescinded their qualifying offer, making Caldwell-Pope an unrestricted free agent.

Organizations linked to KCP include the Nets and Lakers. Depending on how the Tim Hardaway restricted free agency plays out, he could also be a target of either the Knicks, if Atlanta matches New York’s offer sheet on Hardaway, or Hawks if, as expected, Atlanta does not match.