Jordan is exactly what the Rockets need (plus he's from Houston), but the Clippers aren't gonna give him up for cheap. Kaman would take less to acquire, I would think. But hey, it's the Clippers so there's always a chance they have no idea how to evaluate their own talent.
DeAndre is turning into a very solid rebounder/shot-blocker. He has no offensive game other than dunking but the Rockets have plenty of offensive firepower already.
Each was added to the roster prior to Morey taking over for CD in '07, but Morey signed both to new contracts.
I'm down with Kaman but the team really needs defense not offense. Morey did try to get Chandler so I think he realizes the same thing.
Kaman isn't elite by any means in that department but he's a capable defender that can block some shots, unlike anyone currently on the roster.
Kaman is an intriguing choice. When healthy he has shown that he can be an effective player in this league (heck he even made the all star game last year) but that is a big if. While he played very well last year (18.5 ppg, 9.2 reb, 1.2 blks), the thought of again tying our team to an often-injured centre with a fairly large contract scares me. Also, while the numbers are nice, his FG% was not really that great for a centre (.490 last year, about the same for his career). So I guess as a temporary measure possibly a trade could work. However, this is probably dependent on an earlier trade where we would acquire an all-star talent to possibly pair Kaman with. Otherwise, on his own, not sure how much Kaman would help our team. The guy has never been a prolific shot blocker/rim protector, so he doesn't benefit our defence much more than filling space. Sure offensively he's a plus, but judging by how well offensively the team is going this year, think defence is our top priority at the moment.
Kaman is another guy that would we could trade Yao's contract for. Because of the $8 million insurance money, the Clips could take the remainder of Yao's contract, approximately $8.5 million, and they could erase the $5.8 million of Kaman's salary for the rest of this season plus all of next season's salary. We would have to take back about $1 million in some other contract (welcome back, Brian Cook) to make the deal work under the salary cap. What would the Clippers be willing to give us for saving them approximately $17 million?????? Would that be enough for Minnesota's first round pick?
Shouldn't the Clippers definitely be interested in this? They actually have a piece in place that can attract free agents other than their location. Do it, Neil Olshey.
Morey signed them to new contracts, but what overshadows them is how he signed David Andersen and Brad Miller to much bigger contracts. Mutombo was more of a benchwarmer than anything after Morey took over and Morey has often played Scola at C rather than signing someone like Jason Collins for the vet min. Morey has dealt with much much more offensive c's than defensive C's.
BimaThug, myself and others have also suggested this move if Morey and company indeed feels moving Yao's contract makes the most sense (as opposed to letting him expire, retaining his Bird Rights, etc). There's a strong possibility the Clippers are considering the "give him away" approach (ex: Yao for Kaman + _______). This move would definitely help us. How much? Hard to say since he's injured at the moment and has always been a bit of an enigma. Another dose or two of Jordan Hill at center I might consider offering Patrick Ewing a one-year deal let alone trading for Kaman.
I agree with this. Morey loves centers that can shoot. And that's fine considering most centers like the Collins guys do nothing well other than just being 7 feet tall. Either of the Clippers' guys would fit well, I think. The Rockets need more defense than Andersen and Miller presente(d), obviously.
Kaman has been a very decent center in this league for some time, playing for a trash franchise. I think he could help us on both ends. He has low post skills and he does move his feet, hustle, and he does gets his hands on the basketball. When you combine that with the fact that he has one year left (an expiring next season), I can see it happening if the Clips want to dump him.
Kaman would be an intriguing aquisition but I wouldn't support it if we had to give too much. He isn't worth more then one of our young players + expirings/picks imo
A trade like Kaman and Rasual Butler (fodder) for Yao and Ish (fodder) serves a second purpose; if my math is right it gets the Rockets right under the luxury tax threshold. Is this savings enough to entice the Rockets to give up the $8 million Yao insurance payment, plus his Bird rights? The other option, a trade like Jeffries + Hayes for Kaman, might make more financial sense. Even though we have to pay the tax, maybe the penalty is still less than the Yao insurance payment. Plus we keep Yao's Bird rights, if that is of any value. Keeping his Bird rights would leave the MLE freed up for next year, if there is such a thing in the next CBA.
