Since he was dealt to New Orleans in the Chris Paul deal in December of 2011, Kaman has wandered the wilderness that is that Western Conference, notching stints with the then-Hornets, the Mavericks, and the Lakers. With the last organization, injuries and a lack of connection with coach Mike D'Antoni capped Kaman at 39 games, but the Blazers still came calling last summer to serve as the primary backup center to Robin Lopez. If all went as planned, Kaman would spell Lopez for up to 20 minutes per game in order to keep both bodies fresh for a potentially deep playoff run. After Lopez broke his hand in mid-December, Kaman's workload was sustained, as Joel Freeland started eight of the next nine contests, but Freeland himself suffered a strained right shoulder to tip off January, forcing Kaman to start 13 consecutive contests. Although Lopez played out the string upon returning on Feb. 3, Kaman was visibly wiped out for the rest of the season, yet he still gutted out 30 appearances over the final 38 outings, including playoffs. Kaman's regular season output was respectable – 8.6 points (on 52 percent shooting), 6.5 rebounds, 0.9 assists, and 0.7 blocks in 19 minutes nightly – but the exchange of Lopez and Freeland for the trio of Mason Plumlee, Meyers Leonard, and Ed Davis could result in coach Terry Stotts using Kaman more judiciously in his age-33 season.
In his return to Los Angeles in 2013-14, this time with the Lakers, Chris Kaman was unable to string together more than 12 consecutive outings, missing large swathes of the season on his way to 39 appearances, or his lowest amount in three years. Occasionally, his back flared up, or he turned an ankle, but the bulk of his absences can seemingly be blamed on coach Mike D'Antoni's lack of commitment to a particular lineup. Brushing off the sporadic playing time, Kaman mustered 10.4 points (on 51-percent shooting), 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and one rejection in 19 minutes per game, the latter of which was a career low. When active, the preceding quietly equated to one of the most efficient of his 11-year career, including his second-highest PER (17.0) and third-best effective field goal percentage (51). Although the performance was admirable, Kaman has missed a whopping 128 contests, or 41 percent, since earning his sole All-Star bid in February of 2010. Nonetheless, acting in tandem with Joel Freeland behind starting center Robin Lopez may just be what the doctor ordered in order to ensure Kaman's presence on the floor for most, if not all, of the upcoming season.
Kaman is coming off a disappointing and injury-plagued 2012-13 season. He missed 16 regular season games and only averaged 20.7 minutes per game. However, if Kaman remains healthy, there is some upside. He is coming off a season where he posted his highest shooting percentage mark in five seasons and also had a career high free-throw percentage. When you factor in that he averaged his lowest minutes per game in his career and has an eight-year streak of averaging double digit points per game, Kaman could be in for a very efficient and productive year - especially when the Lakers come to full strength. Look for Kaman to be averaging minutes in the low 20's to start and gradually increase from there.
After eight seasons with the Clippers, Kaman spent the 2011-12 campaign manning the paint for the Hornets. He split time as a starter and reserve in New Orleans, finishing with averages of 13.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, a career-high 2.1 assists and 1.6 blocks in 29 minutes per game. Other than the uptick in assists, those numbers were right in line with Kaman’s per-minute production throughout his career. He remained a solid free-throw shooter (78.5), but Kaman failed to hit half of his field-goal attempts (44.6) for the third consecutive season. The oft-injured Kaman spent some time on the shelf again, missing 12 games due to injury or illness and another seven due to a spat with the organization early in the season, pushing his total missed games to 19. Over the course of the past five seasons, Kaman has played in 242 out of a possible 394 games, so injuries are always a concern. But the future does look brighter for Kaman after signing with the Mavericks this offseason. He’s set to join friend Dirk Nowitzki in the frontcourt and should be able to carve out a significant role for a Mavs team that is desperate for production at the center position.
For the third time in four seasons, Kaman missed significant time due to injury as ankle and knee injuries kept him on the shelf for 50 games last season. In the limited time Kaman was healthy, he still proved to be a solid contributor at the center position. In 32 games, Kaman averaged 12.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. He split his time between starting and a reserve role after the emergence of DeAndre Jordan, resulting in just 26 minutes per game for the veteran. The Clippers have Kaman under contract for one more season, but with the team high on Jordan, Los Angeles will probably shop Kaman around. A best-case scenario would see Kaman land elsewhere, but he proved last season he could still be an adequate source of points, rebounds and blocks with a smaller role. The oft-injured center has now missed an average of 33 games over the past four years, so the biggest concern remains his health, but perspective owners will also want to gauge his playing time situation before targeting Kaman on draft day.
Kaman averaged a career-high 18.5 points last year, also grabbing 9.3 rpg. Injuries cost him a total of 77 games over the previous two years, so it was especially nice to see Kaman play in 76 contests last season. Last year's trade of Marcus Camby ensured Kaman's role in Los Angeles' frontcourt, but the team gets back No. 1 pick Blake Griffin (knee) this season, and the Clippers are also high on 22-year-old DeAndre Jordan. Kaman isn't a special talent, and he's likely to get fewer field goal attempts in 2010-11, so last year's 18.5 ppg shouldn't be expected again. His shot blocking has declined each of the past two seasons as well, bottoming out at just 1.2 bpg last year. Kaman remains injury-prone, and don't be surprised if he immediately takes a backseat to Griffin. Those who draft Kaman expecting similar production to last year will likely be left disappointed in 2010-11.
Kaman is a skilled center with above average mobility. He possesses good post moves on the offensive end and does a good job of establishing defensive position. Kaman is a talented shot blocker (career 1.5 bpg) and can rebound in bunches when he’s healthy. In 2007-2008, with Elton Brand rehabbing an Achilles injury, Kaman played a career-high 37 minutes per game and collected 15.7 ppg, 12.7 rpg, and 2.8 bpg in 56 contests. Unfortunately, when paired with another dominant player in the post, Kaman’s game flounders. He’ll share the front court with Marcus Camby, rookie Blake Griffin, and second year man DeAndre Jordan. It’s difficult to speculate whether Kaman or Camby will start at center this year as both of them were in and out of the lineup due to injuries last season, and both of them were brought off the bench at times. Poor health is the most significant hurdle Kaman must overcome to regain the production he had during the 2007-2008 season. He’s played in only 87 of a possible 164 games the last two seasons, missing time for the following reasons: flu, shin injury, sore back, sprained right ankle, left foot injury and the flu again. His success this year will be wholly contingent upon his ability to stay out of the trainer’s room and on the floor.
Kaman finally began to fulfill his promise last season, shattering his career highs in almost every category including points (15.7 ppg), rebounds (12.7 rpg) and blocks (2.8 bpg) before injuries ended his season after only 56 games. Kaman looks like a lumbering center with his big frame (7-0, 265) and caveman beard, but he’s deceptively quick and has excellent footwork in the low post. With Elton Brand gone, Kaman now becomes the primary low-post option for the Clippers on offense, while the new addition of Marcus Camby should help to take some of the pressure off of Kaman on defense. While Camby will likely eat into Kaman’s rebounding totals, his presence may also give Kaman more opportunities to block shots from the weak side. After last year’s breakout campaign, Kaman could be on the cusp of becoming a true impact player.
Seemingly on the verge of taking a big step forward after a productive 2005-06 campaign (11.9 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 1.4 bpg), Kaman took several steps backward instead. With Elton Brand out with a ruptured Achilles tendon Kaman, will have the chance to make up for that this year. Kaman looks like a lumbering center with his big frame (7-0, 265 pounds) and caveman beard, but he is deceptively quick and has excellent footwork in the low post. With Brand out he becomes the primary low-post option for the Clippers on both offense and defense, and he could easily surpass his 05-06 numbers to become an impact fantasy starter this year. Keep an eye on him in the middle rounds, as he is, once again, a prime breakout candidate.
Kaman made a nice leap in 2005-06, adding nearly three points and three rebounds per game while shooting 52.3 percent from the floor and 77 percent from the free-throw line, becoming a top-10 producer at the position. He has limited range offensively, but puts himself in position to score around the basket. The Clippers return the nucleus of last season’s team, so we expect similar things from Kaman this season. The Clippers and Kaman are far apart on an extension of his rookie deal, so we could see him making a push for his next contract.
Kaman will be the Clippers’ starting center, backed up by Zeljko Rebraca and Chris Wilcox. In other words, it’s his job to lose. He’s got some offensive skills, but on a team featuring Corey Maggette, Cuttino Mobley, Sam Cassell and Elton Brand, Kaman’s role is clearly defense, rebounding and pick setting. He should retain the starting job as long as he’s healthy.
Kaman failed to distinguish himself in his rookie season out Central Michigan. He started more games at center than any other Clipper and is expected to resume that role this year. He was below the average center in most categories, but could see more minutes this season. Even so, this team is more about Elton Brand and Corey Maggette, so Kaman is not expected to score much.
Hyped rookie who has legiamate potential. Ranked 13th in the nation in scoring (22.4 ppg), fourth in the nation in rebounding (12.0 rpg) and 10th in the nation in blocks (3.2 bpg) while at Central Michigan. Very versatile. Will start the season as the primary backup to Melvin Ely.
