Lonzo Ball & Larry Nance Jr. Revisit Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s Little-Known 2017 ‘Work Release’ Chapter

Former Los Angeles Lakers teammates Lonzo Ball and Larry Nance Jr. have brought renewed attention to one of the most bizarre storylines from their early NBA careers — the brief period in which Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was playing under a court-ordered work-release arrangement.

The topic resurfaced on the newest episode of the Ball in the Family Podcast, where the two Cleveland Cavaliers players reflected on the unforgettable — yet rarely discussed — moment from the 2017–18 season.

🎙️ “That was real. That was real.”

As soon as Caldwell-Pope’s name came up, Nance Jr. couldn’t help but react with a mix of surprise and nostalgia.

“KCP is our guy. Look, KCP, we love him. We love him. That was real. That was real. That was real. That ain't my story to tell… I forgot about that until this very second.”

Back in 2017, Caldwell-Pope was required to serve time in a detention facility while remaining eligible for Lakers activities. The arrangement allowed him to practice and play in home games only, as his travel privileges were restricted. It became one of the strangest subplots on a young Lakers team featuring Ball, Nance, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle, and a rookie Lonzo.

📜 A Strange Footnote in Lakers History

Caldwell-Pope’s situation was unprecedented: he would participate in practice or play at Staples Center, then return to the detention facility afterward. For a rebuilding Lakers squad, it was a surreal and unusual moment that many fans still remember — but few inside the locker room have ever spoken about publicly.

Ball and Nance Jr.’s teasing comments stop short of sharing the full story, but they confirm just how real and unusual the scenario was.

🔁 Former Lakers, Now Cavaliers

Ball and Nance Jr., now reunited in Cleveland, have taken different paths since that Lakers era.

• Nance Jr. rejoined the Cavaliers this season after stints with Portland, New Orleans, and Atlanta.
• Lonzo Ball signed with Cleveland this offseason as he continues his return from multiple injuries.

Cleveland sits at 12–7, looking to bounce back after a 110–99 loss to Toronto. They’ll face Atlanta next before returning home for a matchup against Boston.

🔄 Caldwell-Pope’s Current Journey

Meanwhile, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is now with the Memphis Grizzlies, who have struggled to start the season at 6–12. They begin a four-game road trip Wednesday against the Pelicans.

Despite the time that has passed and the twists in their individual careers, the resurfaced story serves as a reminder of the chaotic, unpredictable, and often overlooked early years of that young Lakers core.

🟣 A Rare NBA Story That Still Makes Players Pause

Ball and Nance Jr. didn’t go into details — out of respect for their former teammate — but their reactions alone make one thing clear:

KCP’s work-release season wasn’t a myth. It was one of the wildest behind-the-scenes chapters in modern Lakers history.