Sources: Chris Kaman being shopped

[.infamous]

The New Orleans Hornets are actively trying to trade center Chris Kaman, according to sources close to the process.


Although sources stressed to ESPN.com that no deal was imminent, Kaman was not with the team for its home game Friday night against Orlando while the Hornets field trade calls for him.

The Hornets, sources said, have decided to shelve Kaman until they can find a trade home for him after making the decision to give his minutes to young players. Kaman had been made inactive for Wednesday's loss at Oklahoma City even though he's not injured.


"It's just something (where) we want to play our young guys and we certainly don't want to disrespect Chris at all," Hornets coach Monty Williams told local reporters before Friday night's game against the Magic.


"This is something we want to keep internally. It's certainly not disciplinary and he understands and I talked to him. We're going to play Jason Smith, Gustavo Ayon and Al-Farouq Aminu. It's just difficult to play that many bigs and I understand how difficult it is for (Kaman) to not get the minutes he wants."


The Hornets acquired Kaman in December as part of the blockbuster deal that sent face of the franchise Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers, but it was widely assumed around the league from the start that New Orleans would turn around and trade Kaman before the March 15 deadline, at least partly because he has an expiring contract.


Kaman, who turns 30 in April, is making roughly $14 million this season. He became the oldest player on the Hornets' roster after being dealt with guard Eric Gordon, Aminu and Minnesota's unprotected 2012 first-round pick for Paul.


Capitalizing on the minutes vacated by Kaman, Ayon scored 16 points in 17 minutes against the Thunder on 8-for-10 shooting.

 

[Pugz]

i knew hed be shopped. hes an $14M expiring and can still play and has a few good seasons left. id like him on our roster but id rather give greg monroe the minutes at the five.

 

[Elite]

Makes sense, he's a really expensive back-up.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Cavs are interested but Kyrie is off the table.

:spiderdance:

 

[elcheato]

so is Tristan Thompson and every first round pick we own for the next 100 years. Unless the Hornets are interested in table scraps, I don't see that going anywhere.

 

[bosoxlover12]

Kaman will not be traded, nobody wants his contract.

He will probably be bought out, where he will have plenty of suitors

 

[Pugz]

boston could use him. i dont see him being traded though. so bought out and going where he pleases would be good. miami rumors would fly though.

 

[Elite]

Kaman will not be traded, nobody wants his contract.

He will probably be bought out, where he will have plenty of suitors

Why wouldn't someone want a large expiring contract?

 

[RipCity32]

*waits for Dumars to trade for him and give him absurd extension*
:FUDUMARS:

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Ten teams are interested in Kaman.

 

[Pugz]

10 teams wont get a deal done.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

10 teams wont get a deal done.

I think we'll end up getting something done, for what though? IDK.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

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.

 

[Pugz]

flynn could finally get some burn in new orleans. id like to see him and twill get a chance there.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

flynn could finally get some burn in new orleans. id like to see him and twill get a chance there.

Yeah it seems like a deal that the Rockets get a nice vet and former allstar (who actually is younger than you'd think) and the Hornets get a few young "potential" type of players, and maybe the Knicks 1st rounder.

I can't see Houston including that pick, but there's been a lot of speculation that they would depending on what players they send.

 

[RipCity32]

A league source said Wednesday night that the Pacers, one of several other teams reportedly in the mix for Hornets center Chris Kaman, could, in fact, be the leading candidate for a swap.

The Pacers apparently are looking for a backup to Roy Hibbert.

Cleveland, Golden State and San Antonio also reportedly have expressed interest in Kaman, who has not played since Jan. 23, was inactive on Jan. 25 at Oklahoma City, and was told two days later to stay away from the team as it attempted to negotiate a trade.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

A little "inside" info I suppose, but the reason Kaman was told to stay away was because he wouldn't agree to give the company line of "I'll do what's best for the team."

 

[Pugz]

he has more fun at home anyways -

 

[.infamous]

haha thats fuckin awesome. And lol at the first top comment.