Caldwell-Pope could miss further games due to legal matter, travel restriction
The Los Angeles Lakers could be without fifth-year guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope for several more games over the next month due to the ongoing fallout from a traffic infraction dating back to last season.
Caldwell-Pope was unable to travel to Cleveland for Thursday's loss to the Cavaliers, and the player's lawyer, Jeffrey Lance Abood, shed some light on the issue Friday.
"While a member of the Detroit Pistons last year, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope plead guilty to a misdemeanor offense of allowing someone to operate his vehicle under the influence," Abood said in a statement, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.
"As a condition of that plea, he was subject to extremely strict and challenging compliance terms by the court. Kentavious complied with most of the terms of his probation and he has had no further driving or other infractions since that time."
As part of the agreement, Caldwell-Pope elected to complete "an intensive program over the next 25 days," per Abood, who admitted his client's travel would face restrictions in the meantime.
"I am grateful for the Court's consideration and for the support of the Los Angeles Lakers and all involved in allowing me to continue with my NBA season while I complete the strict requirements set by the Court," Caldwell-Pope said. "I understand the seriousness of this matter and I apologize for my past actions that have created this situation. Now I am committed to becoming a better person and professional from now on."
It's unclear exactly what Caldwell-Pope's travel restrictions are, but the Lakers only have a handful of away games over the next several weeks anyway. They face the Rockets in Houston on Dec. 20 and 31, and the Minnesota Timberwolves on New Year's Day. Their only other road game until mid-January comes against the Lakers' in-state rival Golden State Warriors on Dec. 22.
Caldwell-Pope has averaged 14.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists over 24 appearances this season.