Kentavious Caldwell-Pope surrendered $3,876,529 in his buyout agreement with the Memphis Grizzlies, a figure identical to the veteran minimum he plans to collect from the Philadelphia 76ers once he clears waivers. Philadelphia’s cap charge on the one-year pact will be $2,449,421.
By accepting the buyout, Caldwell-Pope’s 2026/27 cap hit for Memphis drops from $21,621,500 to $17,744,971. After adding first-round pick Karim Lopez, the Grizzlies project to carry just under $160 million in salary, comfortably below the $165 million salary cap.
Memphis will remain an over-the-cap club to preserve its $28.9 million trade exception tied to Jaren Jackson Jr. and other cap tools, maintaining flexibility to absorb sizeable contracts before or during the season.
Additional contract notes around the league
John Tonje, Trail Blazers: The rookie guard’s new two-way deal spans two seasons. If he completes the contract without being promoted or waived, he can enter restricted free agency in the 2028 offseason.
Julian Phillips, Rockets; Harrison Ingram, Jazz: Both players signed non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contracts. Because each has fewer than three years of NBA service, either deal may be converted into a two-way slot before opening night.
Kobe Bufkin, Pelicans: The guard agreed to a non-guaranteed training-camp contract containing Exhibit 9 language only. Without an Exhibit 10 clause, the agreement cannot be switched to a two-way deal, making a G League assignment less likely if he is waived.
Source: Hoops Rumors
