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Philadelphia continues to reshape its roster with bold targeted signings. A few days after attracting LeBron James, the Sixers have made official the arrival of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a two-time NBA champion released from his contract by the Memphis Grizzlies. The 33-year-old guard has signed for one season and reunites with the man with whom he won his first ring in 2020 wearing the Lakers jersey. At the same time, Cleveland has made a shrewd move by bringing back Croatian Mario Hezonja, a former fifth overall draft pick who had not played in the NBA for six years.
Caldwell-Pope, the lieutenant who follows LeBron
Title in 2023 with Nikola Jokic's Nuggets in a role as a defensive specialist and outside shooter.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's career commands respect. Title in 2020 with LeBron James and Anthony Davis's Lakers. Title in 2023 with Nikola Jokic's Nuggets in a role as a defensive specialist and outside shooter. His career 37% success rate from beyond the arc and his ability to defend the three perimeter positions make him a sought-after addition.
Traded to the Grizzlies in the deal that sent Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia, Caldwell-Pope immediately negotiated a buyout. Chris Haynes, a journalist for Bleacher Report, confirmed his intention to sign with the Sixers. The contract is for one year, for an amount close to the veteran minimum, a formula that preserves Philadelphia's financial flexibility while providing a reliable rotation behind the James-Brown-Embiid trio. To free up the necessary roster spot, the front office renounced the rights to Dalen Terry.
Hezonja, the Croatian crossing the Atlantic again
Mario Hezonja is back in an NBA jersey. Drafted fifth overall by Orlando in 2015, the Croatian had not set foot on an American court since the 2019-2020 season. In the meantime, he rebuilt his career from the ground up: two seasons at Panathinaikos, then four years at Real Madrid capped with a EuroLeague title in 2023 and two Spanish championships.
Cleveland has finalized a one-year, $2.8 million contract, confirmed Michael Tellem, an agent at Excel Sports Management. Hezonja, 31, comes off a European campaign averaging 12.4 points and 38% shooting from three-point range. The Cavaliers were looking for a wing capable of creating his own shot and stretching the defense after seeing LeBron James slip away to Philadelphia. The Croatian arrives in a roster structured around Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley. Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland's coach, now has an offensive sixth man capable of coming off the bench to swing a second period.
An Eastern Conference that has changed its face in one week
The moves of this first fortnight of free agency are redrawing the map of the East. Philadelphia has transformed its roster by attracting LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, then locking down the perimeter spots with Caldwell-Pope. The Embiid-James-Brown trio, reinforced by a two-time NBA champion off the bench, places the Sixers among the two or three title favorites.
Cleveland, for its part, has chosen a different path. No splash, but surgical additions around a young core that reached the conference semifinals in 2025. Hezonja brings scoring and experience at a modest price. The Cavaliers are betting on continuity while Philadelphia bets on talent accumulation.
These two signings, as different in scope as in philosophy, tell the same story: that of an Eastern Conference where playoff spots are now negotiated in detail.