He actually was considered the best center in the league a year and a half ago. He is still 3rd in the entire league for all major paint protection matrix. That even being in this mental slump.
Henderson can't be combined in a trade until August 25th. We could however just cut Kaman now; eat his $1 million in salary; and do a Henderson and Hibbert for cap space deal. Or if Indy and GS would allow us to wait until August 25th to finalize the trade we would be able to keep Kaman; use $5 million in cap space now but complete a Henderson and Kaman for Hibbert swap later when we are above the cap. The deadline to cut Kaman is today so what we do with him will tell us if one or both of these scenarios are possible. I'd want him back but only if it was a contract under $10 million, and only if we strike out on the top options in free agency. Robin has value but he also is slow footed with bumbling hands and gets exposed in the playoffs. The same can be said of Hibbert. Its very possible Hibbert is ultimately a downgrade. But we only do a Hibbert deal if its part of LaMarcus staying here. Yeah a pick would be nice. If LaMarcus leaves thats the only scenario I'd be interested in still taking him.
The Warriors still have a trade exception from the Jordan Crawford deal for 5.4M. They could take Kaman using that. Was just throwing it out there though as I am not for sure Indiana does that deal without getting more compensation and Golden State makes out with two decent assets plus sheds salary. This would merely be the framework of the trade and would need adjusting.
This He's a 7-2 center that doesn't dominate. He's only dominated when playing Miami in the playoffs since they had no true center.
Start CJ at SG and Ellis at SF: go super smallball! One way or another we'll be earning that "Trail Blazers" name.
Even back when Hibbert was "good" he wasn't very good. Also, keep in mind that he plays int he NBADL...I mean Eastern Conference. That artificially inflates a player's "goodness".
Well Kaveman is staying on the cap according to Quick. Here is a possible scenario; Pacers: David Lee, Chris Kaman $14.9 salary out $19.8 incoming Blazers; Roy Hibbert $10.8 salary out $14.9 incoming Warriors: Gerald Henderson and Damjan Rudez $15.0 salary out $7.1 incoming The trade could be agreed to in principle but finalized August 25th when Hendersons trade restriction ends. It gives the Pacers and Blazers an opportunity to spend all their cap space while they are under the cap in free agency then finalize the trade later when they are over the cap to take on that bit of extra salary. The Warriors can wait to cut the salary because they only care about the luxury tax; not cap space.
