The Portland Trail Blazers lost four fifths of their starting lineup from last year so they figured this year would be a developmental season for their younger players. The Blazers' record of 15-22 isn't very good but somehow they are only two games out of the eighth spot in the Western Conference. Despite how close they are to a playoff spot Portland is committed to developing their young guys and because of that Chris Kaman has been sitting at the end of the bench all year and might be traded within the next month, according to Jason Quick of CSN Northwest.
The Blazers had a team option on Kaman this offseason worth about $5 million that they picked up after Kaman talked on the phone with general manager Neil Olshey. Olshey told Kaman during that call that the Blazers would pick up his option and that he likely wouldn't play much but if a chance to upgrade their roster by trading him came along they would do it. The Blazers were able to just eat $5 million for a guy at the end of the bench because they had so much cap room and actually still do.
From Kaman's viewpoint, he knows he can still play, and probably be effective as a backup center, but he is comfortable in Portland and has enjoyed his role as a mentor for the young big men on the Blazers. Kaman has appeared in just four games this season as Mason Plumlee, Meyers Leonard, Noah Vonleh and Ed Davis have taken all of the frontcourt minutes but despite that Kaman still wants to stay in Portland.
Kaman says it isn't easy sitting on the bench when he knows he can still help a team out but he is fine with it and knows that a trade could still happen.
"That's probably one of the hardest parts about the situation. It's very humbling, coming from where I came from and doing what I'm doing now and knowing I can still play. But I'm OK with it. I really am. I think about it, I know it's a high possibility. If [Olshey] gets a good opportunity for the team, I get traded," said Kaman.
As of right now there haven't been any teams reported to have interest in Kaman but he is someone that teams might take a look at as he is a former All-Star and still just 33 years old. Last season with the Blazers Kaman averaged 8.6 points and 6.5 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per game and he still has plenty left in the tank should a team need a backup big man off the bench. If Kaman does draw any sort of interest it does seem likely he will be traded considering he is providing nothing on the court and, although he is a solid mentor, anything they get in return would help the team improve.
