Mark Berman of Fox 26 confirmed that while the Rockets have had discussions with the Hornets regarding Kaman, the Sports Illustrated report on the players involved is not accurate.
SI had reported that the Rockets’ offer involved Hasheem Thabeet and Jordan Hill and could also involve Patrick Patterson, Jonny Flynn, and Terrence Williams.
It’s unclear whether Berman means the report was wholly inaccurate, in terms of the players mentioned, or that the specifics were merely a bit off. Is it still structured around ‘the busts’ or is it fundamentally different, involving, say Luis Scola?
How many here would trade Scola for Kaman if that were the price? Such a deal would give the team room to sign two max free agents in the summer (when Kaman’s deal expires.) The team could achieve the same objective by simply using the amnesty provision on Scola this summer but in that event, they’d still be on the hook for his remaining real salary obligations, an outcome owner Les Alexander would no doubt want to avoid. In terms of production, would Kaman suffice as a short term replacement for Scola?
General manager Dell Demps no doubt is partial towards Scola, from past evidence, but would Stern approve such a deal? He killed the Paul trade simply because…well, it was an absolutely awful trade for a team in that situation. But this is different. Perhaps Scola is the most value that can be squeezed from the expiring contract of Kaman; perhaps Scola can be moved elsewhere for some younger parts that could help in the long term.
Trading Luis would allow the Rockets to move forward Patrick Patterson into the starting lineup where he flourished last season. This would shore up the defense and allow them to bring Kaman off the bench to serve as the new inside threat.
Really though, the upside to a Scola deal would be about this summer and flexibility. Any other scenario that would give the team room to pursue two max free agents would require them to either swallow significant real financial obligations (remember, the amnesty provision only removes a player’s salary slot from the team’s cap; it does not relieve the team completely of the real obligation unless a similar contract is signed with a new team) or experience a drastic drop-off in short term on-court production.
Outside of Luis, I can’t even really see who else could be involved in the talks. Lowry is off-limits. Trading Martin would be a step back. In my opinion, dealing Dalembert for Kaman would also be a step-back.
It’s also possible that the offer was centered around Hill and Thabeet, but rather than Patterson/Williams/Flynn as the throw-in, it was one of Lee or Dragic. Those latter two are also free agents this summer and it’s in question whether the team would have desire to re-sign them to what they will likely be offered. But losing either would be a huge step back in the playoff chase this season. Atleast with Scola, for Kaman, similar production could be achieved.
