Clippers Free Agency: 5 potential backup centers to sign

Chris Kaman

Chris Kaman hardly played last season as the Portland Trail Blazers shot up the Western Conference as possibly the NBA’s biggest overachiever. He made just 16 appearances with an average of seven minutes, falling out of the rotation as the Blazers utilized the younger talent of Mason Plumlee, Noah Vonleh, Meyers Leonard and Ed Davis.

For the Clippers, though, a team in need of cheap veterans, who could really make the most of someone with a market value as low as Kaman’s will be right now, he could be a worthy (necessary) target.

It’s been a while since Kaman’s lone All-Star season in 2009-10. He was with the Clippers putting up 18.5 and 9.3 rebounds per game, the best numbers of his career that included eight years with the team after they drafted him 6th overall in the 2003 draft.

Those days are long gone, but Kaman (34) still has a great mid-range shot, he can drop in a few hook shots from the post if need be, and despite being a cumbersome defender away from the basket (not being much of a shot blocker either), he’s still a smart team defender and knowns where to be. He can also help on the boards, too.

While it may be a year ago, Kaman averaged 16.4 points, 12.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per 36 minutes in 2014-15. He could come somewhere near that again if given the opportunity.

At a low price, bringing back Kaman isn’t the worst thing the Clippers could do with such limited options if Nene and Hill are taken.

Next: A do-a-little-bit-of-everything guy