NBA Trade Rumors: New Orleans Hornets Won't Find Any Suitors for Chris Kaman

The New Orleans Hornets have recently made Chris Kaman available on the trade market, but they won't find any takers for him. Kaman is an underrated big man, whose production has been buried in bad years with the Clippers and injuries.

Right now, he is healthy and the Hornets already have Emeka Okafor, and they're looking to rebuild for new ownership. Kaman apparently isn't in those retooling plans. That said, there are no matches for him and his $14 million dollar salary through a trade.

What He Offers

Size. He is a legit seven-footer, and that is always at a premium.

Kaman is a solid rebounder and has been his entire career. In only 23 minutes per night, he is averaging 6.7 rebounds per game; his numbers are stymied by sharing time with Emeka Okafor.

Kaman is also a capable low-post scoring option. He has averaged 11.7 points per game in his career, and as many as 16 in the 2007-2008 season. Kaman blocks shots at a clip of over a block per game as well.

He is not an elite center, but he is certainly solid, and at only 29 years of age, he is not over the hill. In a trade scenario he could be an attractive option because he is an expiring contract. Kaman is a nice short-term investment for a contending team.

What Makes the Potential Deals Unlikely?

Trying to find a roster that has a need for a big man like Kaman, with attractive pieces that fit from a salary standpoint is nearly impossible.

Teams like the Celtics, who have expressed interest would want him for a run this year. The Celtics don't have expendable pieces to offer New Orleans for Kaman that have matching salaries.

Beyond the Big Three and Rondo, the Celtics don't have much of anything of value to offer in a trade.

This is also the case with rosters like the Mavericks, Bulls and other teams in need of a big man.

The Hornets are obviously looking for young players and/or draft picks to strengthen their future as veterans with longer deals are not of major value to the Hornets now.

Kaman's salary and the Hornets' poor immediate outlook make finding a match unlikely.

What Will Likely Happen

The Hornets will exhaust all possible trade avenues; when that fails, Kaman will either be bought out or he'll leave via free agency in the offseason.

If it is indeed a buyout, then there will be a Kaman sweepstakes, as several contenders will go at Kaman armed with their veteran's minimum, mid-level exceptions and available cap space.

Kaman could be a big midseason signing for a contender and if he stays for the rest of the season, he'll still be one of the better free-agent centers available in June.