NBA Power Rankings: Tiering all 30 projected starting shooting guards for 2023-24

28. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Denver Nuggets

An underrated two-way player, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is now a two-time NBA Champion. After playing a key role for the Los Angeles Lakers during their NBA bubble championship, KCP was traded to the Washington Wizards as part of the package for Russell Westbrook. He then was traded just before the start of the 2022-23 NBA season to the Denver Nuggets. And, boy, what a move that ended up being for the now NBA Champion Nuggets.

KCP helped make up what is now remembered as one of the best-supporting casts in the NBA last season. The Nuggets bullied their way to the NBA Finals and KCP played an integral part in their success. During their run to the title, KCP averaged 11 points on 42 percent shooting from 3-point range. He also helped carry the defensive weight on the wing.

KCP played his best basketball last season in the Western Conference Finals against his former team, the Lakers. During that sweep, KCP averaged 15 points on 44 percent shooting from 3-point range. KCP made sure he made it known what the Lakers were missing.

KCP is a solid starting shooting guard. He may not be a star or on the path to stardom, but he’s very much an effective player at this point in his career.