Hornets on Verge of Another Trade

The New Orleans Hornets announced that they are seeking a trade partner for center Chris Kaman who they acquired in a trade with the Clippers during the offseason. The Hornets seek to get younger as they continue the rebuilding process that was ushered in when they traded Chris Paul during that same offseason trade.

Obviously the Hornets will be seeking young talent or a draft pick that they use to draft someone in this year’s upcoming draft. This year’s draft is expected to be very deep with many players deciding not to enter last season’s draft because of the lockout. So what team is Kaman most likely to land with? Here are the five teams he’s most likely to land with:

5. Boston Celtics
 
The Boston Celtics could use an infusion of talent, especially in the post. Danny Ainge has expressed a desire to break up the big three but they don’t have any assets that the Hornets would want to take back in return other than maybe Brandon Bass. The Celtics would have to find a third trade partner in order to facilitate a trade for Kaman.

4. Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors already had a pretty weak frontcourt and that was before they lost backup center Kwame Brown to injury. Bringing in Kaman to play alongside David Lee would give the Warriors a frontcourt that can contend with some of the better teams they will face this season and allow Lee to play more away from the basket. The Warriors have assets to trade but the Hornets may have to include a player or two in the trade to make the numbers work.

3. New Jersey Nets

The New Jersey Nets have been without center Brook Lopez all season and are looking less and less likely to get Dwight Howard who doesn’t want to go to a team that will likely miss the playoffs. With that in mind, the Nets may look to take Kaman as a consolation prize. They have a few young players on the roster they could package to the Hornets though I doubt they would be willing to give up one of those draft picks they were looking to spend on Howard.

2. Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors may be in the market for Kaman’s services. Their starting center Andrea Bargnani has missed seven games this season with injuries and the Raptors lost all seven games. In all truthfulness though, Bargnani is more of a face up shooter than a back-to-the-basket player. Bringing Kaman in at center and moving Bargnani to the four whenever he is healthy enough to return would give the Raptors more punch in their frontcourt.

1. Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks need someone who can score effectively in the post after losing Al Horford to injury. Although the Hornets are looking to get younger, they may be willing to take back Kirk Hinrich from the Hawks. Kaman makes over $14 million this season so Hinrich could be a throw-in with Marvin Williams as the centerpiece. Hinrich’s contract expires this season so if the Hornets don’t keep Hinrich to help their depleted backcourt then they can either sit him or buy out his contract and allow him to sign with some team for a playoff run.

There are a few other teams with big men that are missing time like Milwaukee’s Andrew Bogut and Memphis’s Zach Randolph. There are also a few other teams out there that could use some production in the post so it’s possible that some other team could put a bid in for Kaman’s services. The five teams listed provide the best scenarios for him to land though.

Roosevelt Hall is an NBA Blogger for The Sport Mentalist 2 and also writes for Shatter The Backboard. He can be contacted at RHall@shatterthebackboard.com. Follow him on Twitter @sportmentalist.