In a blockbuster offseason for the former Georgia basketball stars, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Nic Claxton have landed lucrative contracts, taking full advantage of the NBA's booming market and escalating player valuations.
Caldwell-Pope is set to join the Orlando Magic on a three-year, $66 million contract.Caldwell-Pope, who played for the Denver Nuggets during the 2023-2024 NBA season, brings a wealth of experience and a championship pedigree to his new team. Caldwell-Pope has become a premier role player in the NBA. His journey in the professional ranks is marked by significant achievements, including two NBA Championships — one with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 and another with the Denver Nuggets in 2023.
Last season, Caldwell-Pope was a key contributor for the Nuggets, averaging 10.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Known for his sharpshooting, he connected on 40.6% of his three-point attempts. Despite his efforts, the Nuggets fell to former Bulldog Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA playoffs, prompting Caldwell-Pope to seek new opportunities.
Orlando, boasting a promising young core, is looking to build on its success from last season. The Magic won 47 games, their most in 13 years, and secured the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. However, their postseason run was cut short by the Cleveland Cavaliers in a grueling seven-game first-round series. The addition of Caldwell-Pope is expected to bolster the Magic’s roster, adding veteran leadership and a winning mentality as they aim to advance further in the NBA playoffs.
Claxton, another former Georgia standout, signed a four-year, $100 million contract to return to the Brooklyn Nets. Claxton, who was the No. 31 pick in the 2019 NBA draft, continues to make a substantial impact in the NBA. His contract is worth more than the combined amounts of all eight of Georgia’s 2024 NFL draft picks. Known for his defensive versatility, Claxton is among the NBA’s top shot blockers and will anchor Brooklyn’s core alongside Cameron Johnson, especially after the Nets recently traded star Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks.
The 6-foot-11, 215-pound center averaged 11.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game in the 2023-2024 season with the Nets. Claxton made nearly two-thirds (66.1%) of his shots from the field throughout his five-year NBA career. He started in 147 games for Brooklyn over the past two seasons, playing just under 30 minutes per game. Claxton, 25, will earn the second-most money of any player on the Nets.
Claxton’s journey to the NBA was significantly shaped by his sophomore year under head coach Tom Crean at UGA. During the 2018-2019 season, Claxton started all 32 games, averaging 13.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.8 assists per game. This was a notable leap from his freshman year, where he averaged just 3.9 points and 3.9 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per game. Claxton's development under Crean’s guidance laid a strong foundation for his professional career, contributing to his recent success and substantial contract with the Brooklyn Nets.
Similarly, Caldwell-Pope made a significant jump during his sophomore year at UGA under coach Mark Fox. In the 2012-2013 season, Caldwell-Pope averaged 18.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.8 assists per game, while shooting 43.3% from the field and 37.3% from three-point range. This improvement from his freshman year, where he averaged 13.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, earned him SEC Player of the Year honors and set the stage for his successful NBA career.
Current Georgia head coach Mike White should feel inspired to continue this legacy of player development and improvement. With promising talents like Blue Cain and Silas Demary Jr. entering their sophomore years, there is a strong foundation for further success. As these young players look to make their mark, they can draw motivation from the journeys of Claxton and Caldwell-Pope, aiming to follow in their footsteps and achieve greatness both at UGA and beyond.