Blazers sign Chris Kaman

[Stevenson]

Bleacher Report really likes the signing.

"It might seem strange to think of Chris Kaman as the player who could push a team over the hump and get them into the realm of true title contenders, at least at this stage of his NBA career. Nonetheless, that's exactly what he's setting up to do for the Portland Trail Blazers."

 

[Strenuus]

Bleacher Report really likes the signing.

"It might seem strange to think of Chris Kaman as the player who could push a team over the hump and get them into the realm of true title contenders, at least at this stage of his NBA career. Nonetheless, that's exactly what he's setting up to do for the Portland Trail Blazers."

A legit BR article? I never thought it was possible. It's interesting reading the trade scenarios for a "super sub" or 6th man of the year stuff.... gets me excited.

 

[Minstrel]

That's if he's playing and not injured. He's missed a lot of games over the last 7 seasons of his career.

Absolutely. Being available most of the season and/or playoffs is also an important aspect for this deal to work out.

 

[42N8Bounce]

I've had the night to think about it, and like most here in this forum, we hoped for more (Monroe? Hawes?). However, stepping back into reality, I think it's a very good signing, especially considering the contract.

Here's a stat comparison of some of the other FA big men that were potential targets (Blatche, Frye, Hawes, Hill, McRoberts, and Kaman):
http://www.basketball-reference.com...2014&p5=blatcan01&y5=2014&p6=fryech01&y6=2014
- Per 36, Kaman is the top in points - 19.8.
- Per 36, Kaman is the second best rebounder at 11.2.
- Per 36, Kaman is top in blocks - 2.0.
- Kaman is second in FG% at 50.9%.
- Kamas has a 17.0 PER. Very good, especially for a backup.

Those are some solid numbers. Our bench needs scoring and rebounding, and that's exactly what he brings. My only concern is his health. Over his career, he's averaged about 59 games per year. With Leonard, Freeland and TRob adding the additional depth to step in/up when needed, I think our frontcourt is now well loaded.

 

[riverman]

Missing so many games for the last 4 years he must be well rested to play for us for a year.

 

[BBert]

Missing so many games for the last 4 years he must be well rested to play for us for a year.

Plus coming off the bench for 82 games is the same as playing half a season, so he should be OK.

 

[MickZagger]

Re: Kaman a Blazer

How much of this was Olshey and how much was it Morey who was motivated to dump salary? Honestly, at the time was the Lopez deal considered a genius. I didn't think so. And I think if you ask Neil that whole deal worked out better than we would have ever dreamed of

Giving up Withey (a known scrub 2nd round pick) for Lopez was genius and I thought so at the time.

 

[riverman]

Neil turned the Clippers from the joke of the West into contenders, he's improved the Blazers and kept toxic contracts at bay. I'm really happy with him as a GM

 

[Strenuus]

Neil turned the Clippers from the joke of the West into contenders, he's improved the Blazers and kept toxic contracts at bay. I'm really happy with him as a GM

No... they just sucked and got into the lottery and got Griffen... then Stern helped them get Paul.

I love Neil. I think he's done a great job here... but he wasn't the reason the Clippers got into contenders... not even close. That was the NBA trying to make both teams viable.... Stern built the last cog of the ship, the rest was just them sucking and landing the #1 pick and having it work out.

 

[fumanchu]

I'm a little surprised at the disappointment in this thread. This whole off season was about adding depth, front court depth in particular, defense, and veteran leadership. Kaman addresses almost all those (not sure about his D). Good move IMO. And didn't he make the all-star team once?

Now if Rolo gets hurt gets in foul trouble I won't cringe. This is a huge improvement over Freeland.

 

[riverman]

I'm a little surprised at the disappointment in this thread. This whole off season was about adding depth, front court depth in particular, defense, and veteran leadership. Kaman addresses almost all those (not sure about his D). Good move IMO. And didn't he make the all-star team once?

Now if Rolo gets hurt gets in foul trouble I won't cringe. This is a huge improvement over Freeland.

When you've been here awhile you will no longer be surprised at disappointed posters

 

[MARIS61]

Nice!

 

[Strenuus]

I'm a little surprised at the disappointment in this thread. This whole off season was about adding depth, front court depth in particular, defense, and veteran leadership. Kaman addresses almost all those (not sure about his D). Good move IMO. And didn't he make the all-star team once?

Now if Rolo gets hurt gets in foul trouble I won't cringe. This is a huge improvement over Freeland.

People don't understand realistic expectations. It's like asking mom for the most expensive toy in the store, but you know it's out of the price range... but you just want it because it's there and you dream about playing with it. You just don't want to have to face the reality of getting the toy that's priced in the middle because you think others will think you're poor. When in reality, it's the best toy for you and you realize that it's not so bad.

 

[Harry's Raincoat]

Despite the hope for Monroe or Hawes for MLE, Kaman is now a sure thing (bird in hand, etc.). He's solid for a b/u. He's a former starter and decent one at that. Should Lopez go down (relevant part of his past), Kaman can fill in as starter again. This also forces Leonard to improve to see the court.

It's not a steal, but it's an under-the-radar kind of signing that will make us better on the court. Good contract. Good production, barring injury.

Our bench just got better without giving up any assets.

 

[oldmangrouch]

There have been repeated references to the idea that we signed Kaman because we couldn't afford someone like Monroe. Fair enough.

So, is upgrading the back-up center position more important than plugging the hole left by Mo's departure? I would never suggest Mo is irreplaceable - but not replacing him at all seems pretty damn foolish! I might have understood if they had blown their wad over a TRob type player....instead, they opted for a injury plagued, veteran journeyman with no upside. Assuming Kaman stays true to form and we get roughly half a healthy season out of him, does the upgrade over Freeland off-set the downgrade in the backcourt?

Sorry, but I'm just not seeing it.

 

[Strenuus]

There have been repeated references to the idea that we signed Kaman because we couldn't afford someone like Monroe. Fair enough.

So, is upgrading the back-up center position more important than plugging the hole left by Mo's departure? I would never suggest Mo is irreplaceable - but not replacing him at all seems pretty damn foolish! I might have understood if they had blown their wad over a TRob type player....instead, they opted for a injury plagued, veteran journeyman with no upside. Assuming Kaman stays true to form and we get roughly half a healthy season out of him, does the upgrade over Freeland off-set the downgrade in the backcourt?

Sorry, but I'm just not seeing it.

You act like free agency is done. Silly.

 

[Hobbesarable]

There have been repeated references to the idea that we signed Kaman because we couldn't afford someone like Monroe. Fair enough.

So, is upgrading the back-up center position more important than plugging the hole left by Mo's departure? I would never suggest Mo is irreplaceable - but not replacing him at all seems pretty damn foolish! I might have understood if they had blown their wad over a TRob type player....instead, they opted for a injury plagued, veteran journeyman with no upside. Assuming Kaman stays true to form and we get roughly half a healthy season out of him, does the upgrade over Freeland off-set the downgrade in the backcourt?

Sorry, but I'm just not seeing it.

I consider it more of an upgrade over Leonard.

 

[Pinwheel1]

There have been repeated references to the idea that we signed Kaman because we couldn't afford someone like Monroe. Fair enough.

So, is upgrading the back-up center position more important than plugging the hole left by Mo's departure? I would never suggest Mo is irreplaceable - but not replacing him at all seems pretty damn foolish! I might have understood if they had blown their wad over a TRob type player....instead, they opted for a injury plagued, veteran journeyman with no upside. Assuming Kaman stays true to form and we get roughly half a healthy season out of him, does the upgrade over Freeland off-set the downgrade in the backcourt?

Sorry, but I'm just not seeing it.

I was in favor of blowing our wad on a PG rather then grabbing a vet center to add depth. However since there are less centers it looks like I was wrong. We did not upgrade with Kaman as much as we are trying avoid disaster with another injury to Lopez or Joel.

It looks to me like Neil wanted the MLE to be on a one year guaranteed contract. Since the BAE is half the salary he may be all right in giving more years. Next year's cap seems very important to him. He will get a replacement for Mo though. Not worried about that.

 

[BBert]

I consider it an upgrade over Freeland, and an opportunity to continue to develop Leonard without relying on him, with a dash of future trade and cap flexibility thrown in. Signing Kaman and the nature of the contract could be seen as a vote of confidence for Leonard's potential. Kaman was brought in to play ahead of Freeland, who is ahead of Leonard. Barring a trade, Freeland becomes injury insurance at both PF and Center. Between Freeland and Leonard, Leonard is the one with "upside", so if the Blazers shop either it's probably Freeland.

 

[tester551]

You act like free agency is done. Silly.

It is... Portland only has the BAE left and only 1 roster spot. Using the MLE was the only chance to significantly upgrade the bench... which they failed to do.

 

[julius]

It is... Portland only has the BAE left and only 1 roster spot. Using the MLE was the only chance to significantly upgrade the bench... which they failed to do.

Who else was there that they could've upgraded the bench (read: not have to trade anyone to get)?

 

[Rhal]

It is... Portland only has the BAE left and only 1 roster spot. Using the MLE was the only chance to significantly upgrade the bench... which they failed to do.

I was really down on the Kaman signing but saying it doesnt significantly upgrade the bench is just wrong. Kaman, even if we bring back mo, will be our best bench player as long as he is healthy.

 

[Sinobas]

Kaman has been a very productive center with the minutes he's played. He's a very good shooter, he can post up and and take advantage of smaller centers inside, he's a good passer, solid rebounder. It's true that he has no "upside" but what is is now is good for our bench.

 

[e_blazer]

It is... Portland only has the BAE left and only 1 roster spot. Using the MLE was the only chance to significantly upgrade the bench... which they failed to do.

You know, there's this process I've heard about called a "trade" that some teams use to upgrade their roster.

 

[Draco]

No... they just sucked and got into the lottery and got Griffen... then Stern helped them get Paul.

I love Neil. I think he's done a great job here... but he wasn't the reason the Clippers got into contenders... not even close. That was the NBA trying to make both teams viable.... Stern built the last cog of the ship, the rest was just them sucking and landing the #1 pick and having it work out.

Neil was still the one constructing the trade and building the assets for years to allow the NBA to accept it. The Pelicans actually did get a vastly better return in assets at the time from the Clippers so Stern did end up acting in the best interest of the Pelicans franchise.

He should get some respect for being able to put up with that scumbag owner too.

 

[Draco]

There have been repeated references to the idea that we signed Kaman because we couldn't afford someone like Monroe. Fair enough.

So, is upgrading the back-up center position more important than plugging the hole left by Mo's departure? I would never suggest Mo is irreplaceable - but not replacing him at all seems pretty damn foolish! I might have understood if they had blown their wad over a TRob type player....instead, they opted for a injury plagued, veteran journeyman with no upside. Assuming Kaman stays true to form and we get roughly half a healthy season out of him, does the upgrade over Freeland off-set the downgrade in the backcourt?

Sorry, but I'm just not seeing it.

Kaman has upside he was a 20/10 allstar. We don't expect him to return to form but its not out of the realm of possibility for a 32 year old to have a renaissance one season.

Adding Kaman doesn't impact the Blazers abilities to resign Mo unless you wanted to sign him for more than $10 million over three seasons.

 

[Draco]

I consider it more of an upgrade over Leonard.

Yeah thats how I look at it, Kaman belongs on an NBA court when he is out there. Leonard is a joke at this point not even as good as Hasheem Thabbet. Kaman gives a different set of skills to our backup center spot than Joel Freeland. If he misses some games we still have a solid option in Freeland available. It also allows LaMarcus to stay at PF if Rolo misses any games which going into LaMarcus' contract season the team wants to keep him happily at his best position.

 

[riverman]

There have been repeated references to the idea that we signed Kaman because we couldn't afford someone like Monroe. Fair enough.

So, is upgrading the back-up center position more important than plugging the hole left by Mo's departure? I would never suggest Mo is irreplaceable - but not replacing him at all seems pretty damn foolish! I might have understood if they had blown their wad over a TRob type player....instead, they opted for a injury plagued, veteran journeyman with no upside. Assuming Kaman stays true to form and we get roughly half a healthy season out of him, does the upgrade over Freeland off-set the downgrade in the backcourt?

Sorry, but I'm just not seeing it.

Mo is not gone yet, Mavs are waiting on Melo or Love before they'll meet with him. Kaman basically took Earl Watson's roster spot at this point

 

[riverman]

Paul Allen could pay some luxury tax if the right deal was available

 

[tlongII]

I like it. Depth at center was our most glaring need.