Memphis Has Already Written This Note Twice — Here It Is Again

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope opted in on June 19, and Memphis leaned on that decision as proof the rebuild had a floor. Six weeks later he agreed to a buyout and plans to sign a one-year deal with the 76ers after clearing waivers. I've filed this note before. The situation hasn't changed enough to warrant a new one.

The backcourt math is what it is. Morant is in Portland. Conley signed with Boston. Now KCP is headed to Philadelphia. Cam Spencer, who averaged 5.4 assists per game last season, is the most experienced guard left in the building — and he's been managing a day-to-day issue this summer alongside Jaylen Wells, GG Jackson, and first-round pick Karim Lopez.

Jaren Jackson Jr. is the anchor and the roster around him is younger and thinner than Memphis planned when July started. My read is that the front office understood this was a possibility when they agreed to the buyout terms, but understanding a risk and having a plan for it aren't the same thing. Training camp is close. The guard depth question is real and, at the moment, unanswered.