The former NBA veteran believes Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is the Orlando Magic’s “playbook.”

Many of the Orlando Magic’s offseason acquisitions heading into the 2024-25 NBA season fall into a similar category: They all focus on checking boxes.

What does it mean? Well, the Magic came in this summer with cash to burn and an immediate need to shoot. It would be a bonus if said scorer could also maintain, or better yet, improve the defensive identity that has become Orlando’s calling card over the past year or so.

Enter Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a two-time NBA champion and one of the more respected actors of his generation. One of the first true three-and-D specialists, who has been excellent at it for over a decade in the league. That’s a lot of boxes checked.

He wasn’t the only one – veteran defender Cory Joseph brings plenty of experience, and rookie Tristan da Silva provides positional size, scoring and a high IQ. But as his new teammate Wendell Carter Jr. mentioned, Magic fans in and around him are excited to add KCP to the lineup after making his “biggest” move of the summer.

On a recent episode of “The Pat Bev Podcast with Rone,” former NBA guard Patrick Beverley explained why Caldwell-Pope could make a difference for Orlando this year in an episode titled “X-Factors.”

Beverley said his history of winning wherever he goes and his toughness – both physical and mental – immediately jump off the page. “You could say that he is able to galvanize soldiers into action. OK, things aren’t going well… he can give a young team a lot of insight.”

In terms of his impact on the basketball, he can help any team score points without requiring a lot of dribbling or possession opportunities. In addition to what he provides defensively, Caldwell-Pope can give a team 15-20 points a day if needed. During a Q&A on NBA.com this week, head coach Jamahl Mosley said KCP’s ability to adapt to whatever role he’s asked to play, which he knows will be variable, should strengthen the Magic this year.

“You just have to understand exactly what it takes to win,” Mosley told NBA.com’s Steve Aschburner.

Caldwell-Pope, who has scored 11.4 points per game for his career, has shot at least 38.5% from three over the last five seasons, three of which were over 40%.

“I think it will help any team,” Beverley said. “No wonder he’s so successful in the NBA.”

For a team stacked with young players, led by All-Star Paolo Banchero, newly extended winger Franz Wagner and fellow two-way point guard Jalen Suggs, adding Caldwell-Pope to a three-year, $66 million contract is a worthy cash injection . In some cases in the league, changes made throughout the summer have the unintended consequence of stunting growth or changing the schedule. If anything, with the Magic with Caldwell-Pope on board, Orlando’s litigation schedule accelerates.

“(She’s) textbook,” Beverley said, answering a question about what she offers Orlando’s young stars. “How to consistently get the best out of your game. He saw LeBron (James) do it, he saw (Nikola) Jokic do it. How to bounce back from a loss, a playoff loss, a second My body doesn’t feel good, how to bounce back from not shooting that night, a tough loss, a big win.

The Magic’s offensive struggles were no secret. Caldwell-Pope, a bottom-third attacker for the 12th straight season and one of the worst teams in the NBA in three-point shooting and scoring, could help catalyze an offense that’s struggling to break out of a rut it’s stuck in. for over a decade.

Some of the statistics are flashy and not what Orlando would like:

“If they shot a little better, they would be one of the better teams in the NBA because of all the points they scored,” Beverley said. “He has a chance to improve their scoring on the field, which is needed.”

Ultimately, the Magic decided to step up their efforts to strengthen their position in the Eastern Conference. Last year, the Magic’s 47 wins were good enough for fifth place in a tight conference, illustrating the same record as the sixth- and seventh-seeded 76ers, who had to go to the play-in tournament. With many players adding something new or taking care of their health ahead of the upcoming season, the challenge of finishing in the top six will once again be formidable.

Beverley thinks Orlando is ready for this.

“Do you think the Magic can finish in the top four in the East?” Beverley was asked.

“I said they wouldn’t make the play-offs – my attitude has changed. I’ll give them a top five,” Beverley said.

To watch the full podcast episode of the interview, click below.

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