NBA Free Agents 2012: Potential Landing Spots for Amnesty Victim Brendan Haywood

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NBA teams have long been enamored with size, meaning a guy like Dallas Mavericks center Brendan Haywood, who has averaged a mere 7.2 points and 6.2 rebounds during his 11-year career, has value to teams.

That would be teams not named the Dallas Mavericks, who David Aldridge confirmed will amnesty Haywood after signing former All-Star center Chris Kaman to a one-year deal.

Source confirms Mavs to amnesty Brendan Haywood. Dallas reached agreement with Chris Kaman on 1 year deal Wednesday. @espn_macmahon first.

— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) July 11, 2012

While Haywood isn't an All-Star by any means, you can't teach size and length, and having a player like Haywood that can come off the bench and play defense and rebound can prove to be a valuable commodity for several NBA teams.

Here's a look at some teams that could be in the running for the former North Carolina product, especially since he can be had cheap.

Boston Celtics

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The Celtics were thin up front a season ago, and even though Kevin Garnett made a nice transition to the 5 midseason, Doc Rivers could use a guy like Brendan Haywood coming off the bench, even if it is just to limit the minutes KG plays per night.

Haywood can add some toughness and size that the Celtics need and would allow rookie Fab Melo to come along slowly.

The problem for Boston, though, is that Haywood could get claimed long before the Celtics ever get a shot at him.

If he slides to them, though, Haywood would fill a big need off the bench in Beantown.

Los Angeles Lakers

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The same goes for the Lakers, who had very little depth a season ago and could use some decent size coming off the bench this season to back up Andrew Bynum (or Dwight Howard).

As it stands right now, rookie Robert Sacre is the only other center on the roster, and the Lakers could use a veteran big man coming off of the bench.

However, similar to Boston, Brendan Haywood could get claimed long before the Lakers ever get a shot at him.

Charlotte Bobcats

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With Byron Mullens, Bismack Biyombo and Tyrus Thomas all probably better suited to play power forward, Michael Jordan's Bobcats need a center.

The Charlotte Observer reports that the Bobcats could have interest in signing Brendan Haywood to fill their need at center.

Golden State Warriors

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The Warriors could be primed to make a run at the postseason and could use a big body coming off the bench behind Andrew Bogut.

Andris Biedrins doesn't give head coach Mark Jackson what the Warriors need off the bench, and with Bogut's history of injuries, it would make sense to have a veteran like Brendan Haywood around.

In addition, it would allow the Warriors to bring rookie Festus Ezeli along slowly.

It may take getting rid of Biedrins, but Haywood could serve a nice role and fit into Jackson's system much better.

Los Angeles Clippers

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The Clippers need frontcourt depth badly.

They lost some rebounding and toughness when Reggie Evans signed with the Nets and need a reliable veteran to come off the bench behind DeAndre Jordan.

Brendan Haywood may not be the best center, but his contributions would be valuable on a team such as the Clippers.

New Orleans Hornets

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The Hornets are very thin up front and could use a guy like Brendan Haywood for a year, even if it is just to have a veteran big man around No. 1 overall pick Anthony Davis.

The improving Hornets could claim Haywood, and he would fill a need crashing the glass and playing defense.

Portland Trail Blazers

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The Blazers lost out on both Roy Hibbert and Brook Lopez and could use a veteran big man on their roster to play next to LaMarcus Aldridge.

They drafted Meyers Leonard, who has a ton of upside, but he's not ready to be a starter in the NBA, and Brendan Haywood can help ease that transition.