Lakers News: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Excited For First Game Back In Detroit
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Lakers
Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Before signing with the Los Angeles Lakers this past offseason, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope spent the first four years of his career with the Detroit Pistons. He was the organization’s eighth overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.

Originally a restricted free agent, the Pistons withdrew their qualifying offer to Caldwell-Pope after trading for Avery Bradley. The decision made him an unrestricted free agent, and the Lakers quickly pounced, signing him to a one-year, $18 million deal.

On Monday, the Lakers end their road trip with their lone visit to Detroit to play the Pistons. It’s a game Caldwell-Pope said he’s looking forward to, via Spectrum SportsNet:

“I’m feeling excited. I haven’t gotten a chance to see the new arena. I’ll get to see my old friends and stuff. It’s going to be an exciting game.”

Of course, any time someone returns to the place they used to play there is usually some sort of reaction from the fans, whether positive or negative. Caldwell-Pope admitted that he doesn’t know what to expect:

“I don’t know. I’ve been having that thought in my head since I knew I was going back. I don’t know. We’ll see when we get there. … I hope so, but we’ll see.”

Not only does this game represent a return for Caldwell-Pope, but also rookie Kyle Kuzma who was born and raised in Flint, Mich. It will be interesting to see how the crowd reacts to both as they will have plenty of familiar faces in attendance.

Caldwell-Pope has been one of the Lakers’ best players ever since getting past his legal issues earlier this season. Since the All-Star break he is averaging 16.3 points and 7.1 rebounds while shooting an unreal 49 percent from 3-point range.

The Lakers will undoubtedly be looking for Caldwell-Pope to continue his level of play in his return to Detroit, regardless of whether the crowd supports him or not.

WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DISCUSSION? CHECK OUT THE NEW LAKERSNATION FORUM CLUB

You May Also Like

Jordan Clarkson On Matchup With Chris Paul: ‘I Can Definitely Redeem Myself’

The Los Angeles Lakers have six games remaining for the season. As…

Lakers Injury News: Lonzo Ball Being Taken For X-Rays After Suffering Sprained Ankle In 3rd Quarter Vs. Rockets

Seemingly buoyed by an overtime win against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Lonzo Ball and the Los Angeles Lakers came out with plenty of confidence on Saturday…

Bruce Brown: Lakers Western Conference Finals Series Felt ‘Personal’ To Nikola Jokic & Nuggets

The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2023 postseason journey was a roller coaster as after a nail-biting Play-In Tournament victory…

Lakers Rumors: LeBron James ‘Will Not Waive’ His No-Trade Clause

With the surprising news of perennial All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving wanting the Cleveland Cavaliers to trade him, the focus over the last few days has been the mindset of superstar LeBron James and whether he’ll want out of Cleveland as well…