Sixers land LeBron and KCP

After trading Paul George away, the Sixers acquired Jaylen Brown from Boston and signed LeBron James. Within a day, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope joined the championship-contending roster on a veteran's minimum deal.

KCP's championship pedigree

Caldwell-Pope has won two NBA championships as a starter on different teams. He brings championship experience and perimeter defense to a Sixers roster built to contend immediately.

Recent seasons have been rough

After back-to-back down years with Orlando and Memphis, Caldwell-Pope is trying to reestablish himself as a rotation-caliber player. He shot just 34.2 percent from three with the Magic and 31.6 percent with the Grizzlies.

Three-point shooting is everything

For a perimeter role player like Caldwell-Pope, his entire value depends on one thing: consistently making open catch-and-shoot threes. Even elite defense and leadership won't keep him in the rotation if he can't shoot.

“Will they consistently make open catch-and-shoot threes?”

His Lakers-Nuggets track record

During seven years with the Lakers, Wizards, and Nuggets, Caldwell-Pope shot 38.9 percent from three on 4.9 attempts per game. That elite mark came while playing alongside LeBron, Anthony Davis, and Nikola Jokic.

“38.9 percent is 38.9 percent”

Better looks in Philadelphia

The Sixers have the offensive firepower to generate easier three-point looks for Caldwell-Pope. Whether he can knock them down at his historical rate will determine if he's a useful depth piece or a regular rotation player.

Orlando's gamble didn't pay off

The Magic signed Caldwell-Pope to a significant three-year contract, expecting him to fit alongside Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. His 34.2 percent three-point shooting prompted Orlando to trade for Desmond Bane instead.

Memphis was a bad fit

Traded to the Grizzlies, Caldwell-Pope shot just 31.6 percent from three in his lone season. Memphis lacked the playmakers to generate advantages for him as a spot-up shooter.

Defensive versatility matters

Listed at six-foot-five with a six-foot-eight wingspan, Caldwell-Pope has defended point guards and wings throughout his career. Coach Nick Nurse needs bench players who can defend multiple positions.

Competition for minutes

Caldwell-Pope must prove he can defend multiple positions to earn minutes over Dominick Barlow, Justin Edwards, and Labaron Philon Jr. Last year, Barlow was considerably better than Caldwell-Pope.

Dean Wade sets the standard

Dean Wade has a chance to be particularly valuable because he can defend at least four positions and shoots more accurately from three than Caldwell-Pope. Nurse will look for similar versatility from KCP.

Opening night test: Jalen Brunson

Against the Knicks on opening night, Caldwell-Pope could get a chance to defend Jalen Brunson. The following week against Detroit, he might guard Cade Cunningham. These matchups will test his defensive range.

Planned absences create opportunity

Even if Caldwell-Pope settles in as the first player out of the regular rotation, he will have plenty of chances to contribute when the Sixers have planned absences. That makes the veteran's minimum deal worthwhile.

Two questions will define his role

Can Caldwell-Pope shoot three-pointers at his historical 38.9 percent clip? Can he defend multiple positions reliably? The answers to these two questions will determine whether he's a rotation regular or a fringe player.