NBA Trade Rumors: Sixers Interested In Lakers' Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is the latest target for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Having let go of the likes of Robert Covington and Dario Saric in the big trade that saw the arrival of Jimmy Butler over the weekend, the Sixers are now looking to add shooters to their ranks.

And according to Kevin O’Connor, Caldwell-Pope is a potential option in that department.

"(The Sixers’) depth is depleted," O'Connor said on the “The Ringer NBA Show," as quoted on Silver Screen and Roll. "They need to add shooting, I had in my article on Saturday that they still retain interest in Cavs wing Kyle Korver, I’ve since heard that Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on the Lakers is a guy that they could have eyes for, but even then, Korver is obviously one of the greatest shooters ever, KCP is an inconsistent shooter."

"I’m not sure how much he would solve their issues, but the point is that they need to find shooting," he added.

Cleveland's Kyle Korver was the initial target with Marc Stein of the New York Times reporting on the matter recently.

"The desperate-for-shooters Sixers remain highly interested in acquiring Cleveland's Kyle Korver," he wrote. "But that will be harder for Philadelphia to make happen without Jerryd Bayless' handy $8.6 million expiring contract to help facilitate a trade."

Korver would definitely be a good option, considering his three-point shooting prowess with 43.1 percent career shooting from beyond the arc. However, it will be hard to acquire him in a trade, especially as he is in the second season of a three-year, $22 million deal he signed last year.

Caldwell-Pope, on the other hand, is an option especially for next summer. He signed a $12 million, one-year deal with the Lakers last summer, making a trade only possible after Dec. 15. But with him potentially entering free agency next year, Philadelphia can certainly acquire him then if there is no immediate need for a shooter.

As it stands, however, it's hard to see Philadelphia coming up with a trade package that would interest the Lakers. And despite having an extra roster spot, the Sixers will be taking their time and evaluating the landscape, according to general manager Elton Brand.

"We're going to take our time and evaluate the landscape,” Brand said recently. “We feel like we can actually add an important piece with that roster spot … Nothing is imminent right now, but we think we can use that (spot) to do some real damage and help our team.”

Caldwell-Pope has been in good form for the Lakers recently and averages 34.4 percent career shooting from beyond the arc. This season, he is averaging 6.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 13 games so far. Korver, meanwhile, is averaging 5.5 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 11 games so far for the struggling Cavaliers.

The true need for a shooter will be evident in the next few games for the Sixers, however, as the Butler era will begin Wednesday night when they take on the Orlando Magic.