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Rockets in the lead to land Chris Kaman


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The Houston Rockets have had extensive trade discussions with the New Orleans Hornets about center Chris Kaman and appear to be in the lead for him, numerous sources told SI.com.

 

The NBA-owned Hornets, who acquired Kaman from the Clippers in the Chris Paul deal on Dec. 15, rendered him inactive last week and publicly acknowledged their decision to trade him. Hornets general manager Dell Demps has been shopping for a deal involving young players and draft picks while the big man awaits his next destination. Kaman, 29, an All-Star in 2009-2010 when he averaged 18.5 points and 9.2 rebounds, is making $14 million in the last year of his contract.

 

Dealing with the Hornets means any trade must be vetted by league executives Stu Jackson and Joel Litvin before being approved by commissioner David Stern. A week before Paul was traded to the Clippers, Stern vetoed a three-team deal that would have sent the star point guard to the Lakers and Pau Gasol to the Rockets, who are now back negotiating with New Orleans.

While no deal is imminent and the pieces are still being discussed, sources said the talks have involved the Rockets' two top-10 picks from the 2009 draft -- center Hasheem Thabeet (No. 2 by Memphis) and power forward Jordan Hill (No. 8 by New York). The Rockets have other young former first-rounders who could be included as well, among them second-year forward Patrick Patterson, third-year point guard Jonny Flynn and fourth-year small forward Terrence Williams. They also have a 2012 first-round pick from New York that the Hornets would love to obtain.4

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/sam_amick/02/01/kaman.trade/index.html

 

I wouldn't do it at the price of our only 2012 first (the Knicks first) but if we could nab Kaman for just Thabeet, Hill and maybe something else then that would be incredible. I thought Kaman's beef with New Orleans was the lack of playing time and if we do land him then he is going to be backing up Dalembert.

 

Either way it would be a good move on the Rockets' part.

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It wouldn't be all that bad giving up a first rounder for Kaman especially since we have 2 first round picks and 2 second round picks correct me if I'm wrong. I kind of have a problem with giving up Pat-Patt but (off course you have to give up something good to get something good) other than that I would do this trade in a heart beat. The only problem is how would this work with both Kaman and Dalembert as our centers.

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If we make the playoffs then we give our own first to the Nets.

 

Oh O.k I see but even if that is the case the pick won't be no more than maybe the 15th or 16th pick. And IMO I don't think the Rockets really need the pick that bad if we make it to the playoffs and besides were young enough.

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We have no legit center for quite a few years and now we get two above average ones with real height. Kinda weird. We were desperate for one for such a long time and this year we all of a sudden have two.

High hopes for Yao making a return. With the uncertainty, I would think Morey would be a bit reserved when going out to find a center, not wanting to spend (or take in through trade) too much money, over too many years. Now that Yao is done...

 

Two years ago...does Houston want Chris Kaman and his $9 million a year the three seasons? I don't see why they would.

 

The same thing has happened with the Lakers over the years, and we got away with playing Gasol at center (when Drew was out) and Odom at PF. May have been a bad idea at times, but Jim Buss was so high on him (and Drew is basically his project) that the Lakers weren't going to spend too much finding backups or replacements, looking at one-year rentals and cheap players.

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Meh...they have Dalembert, who is a really solid center. Don't see the need in getting Kaman. If I were to make a trade I'd make upgrades at the wing positions (specifically SF).

 

I think Morey just wants a more stable rotation at the 5, Hill has been nice but he's been far too inconsistent and Kaman would give Houston a center who can get points by actually posting up (rather than the putbacks and second chance points ala Dalembert/Hill) albeit Kaman does turn it over a bit too much. His $14 million expiring deal could be an asset or salary filler for a bigger deal at the deadline.

 

As for upgrading at the three, I wouldn't mind doing that depending on what player we're getting and who is on the way out. I am fine with Chandler Parsons for now though and we still have yet to see what Marcus Morris can do.

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