5 NBA players with surprisingly good +/- ratings this season

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has an impressive plus/minus score despite receiving plenty of criticism
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has an impressive plus/minus score despite receiving plenty of criticism

#2 Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - Los Angeles Lakers: +44

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has been criticized during the first month of the season
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has been criticized during the first month of the season

Despite enduring an underwhelming 2018-19 season, the Los Angeles Lakers opted to bring back Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on a two-year deal worth $16 million during the offseason. The deal was criticized at the time, and KCP has started his third season in Los Angeles in the worst form of his career, averaging just 5.3 points on 35% shooting from the field.

Caldwell-Pope has received much criticism for his inability to offer shooting from the bench, although the Lakers have outscored their opponents by 44 points during KCP's time on the court. Admittedly, other reserve options such as Alex Caruso, Quinn Cook, and Dwight Howard have helped Caldwell-Pope's case, although it is a huge overstatement to suggest that the Lakers sink whenever the 26-year-old takes to the court.


#1 Vince Carter - Atlanta Hawks: +37

Vince Carter is the only member of the Atlanta Hawks roster that has at least a +10 in plus.minus
Vince Carter is the only member of the Atlanta Hawks roster that has at least a +10 in plus.minus

Following a surprisingly strong opening week to the season, the Atlanta Hawks have struggled to keep pace in a competitive Western Conference. Thursday's defeat the Phoenix Suns was Atlanta's seventh defeat in eleven games - and they have now dropped five games in a row.

Trae Young has been Atlanta's standout performer so far this season, although the 21-year-old's plus/minus currently stands at -19. Meanwhile, Vince Carter's tally has soared to +37 through his eight appearances. The 42-year-old has benefited from sitting out Atlanta's past two defeats, although no other player on the Hawks roster has a plus/minus above +8. Ultimately, there is no doubting that Carter is still making a positive impact both on and off the court as he finally nears the end of his Hall-of-Fame worthy career.

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