Blazers sign Chris Kaman

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

 

Nice!

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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