On “The Hoop Collective,” Windhorst revealed how much urgency the Nuggets have to re-sign him as soon as possible.

Re-signing Caldwell-Pope to a high figure likely means the Nuggets cross the NBA’s second tax apron. Because they have won a title, they can justify paying good money to keep their starting lineup. However, paying that much for their starting five will limit adding rotation players.

What could help their appeal is that veterans looking for a championship and a rotation spot will surely find it in Denver.

What will work against Denver is having teams that could be willing to offer more than they can. Even harder, their competitors can also offer enough money to be flexible. HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported that Caldwell-Pope could get a contract similar to what Bruce Brown got in 2023.

“Heading into free agency, there’s also concern that guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope could decline his $15.44 million player option, enter unrestricted free agency, and land a potential short-term offer for a higher salary annually comparable to Bruce Brown’s previous two-year, $45 million deal with Indiana,” Scotto wrote.

Brown’s role in helping the Nuggets win their first championship as a franchise led to such a substantial pay raise. Since Caldwell-Pope has had a bigger role with the Nuggets, it’s not hard to see why he wouldn’t get that contract offer at the very least.

Scotto’s report further reinforces that keeping Caldwell-Pope will certainly come at a cost for Denver. Something that could work in their favor is offering Caldwell-Pope more long-term security since he is 31.