Chris Kaman and the 11 Centers the Blazers Should Deal for This Summer

With the NBA Draft come and gone, each team is pondering what else they should do to make their team championship contenders.

Last week, the Blazers started off the draft with two glaring needs—point guard and the frontcourt. They fulfilled the first need after acquiring former Bobcat Raymond Felton in a three-team deal and using the No. 21 selection on Duke point guard Nolan Smith.

Now all they have to do is figure out what to do in the frontcourt.

The Blazers have LaMarcus Aldridge and Marcus Camby occupying the starting positions with Chris Johnson and Earl Barron coming off the bench. Although their potential is unlimited, it is somewhat hard to grasp that the two players will help them go deep into the postseason.

No to mention, Camby is on the edge of retirement and it is unknown if he will return for the 2011-12 season (if there is one).

The front office should definitely look into finding Camby's replacement or at least adding another player to an already thin frontcourt.

Mehmut Okur

The Scenario:

Portland receives: Mehmut Okur & two future Utah second-round picks

Utah receives: Brandon Roy & Luke Babbitt

Sacramento receives: Raja Bell

In this deal, the Blazers would be receiving Mehmut Okur from the Jazz, as they would acquire a player that can play both power forward and center. Okur is also a very good shooting big man, especially from three-point range - something that Aldridge and Camby are not.

They would also be getting two future second-round picks in the deal, which could turn into two early picks if the Jazz fail to get any better and miss the playoffs behind a totally different team and a new head coach in Tyrone Corbin.

This is also the final season of Okur's contract, in which he will be receiving $9 million. It would help the Blazers with future cap space as it will be coming off the books following the end of the season.

Utah would acquire Brandon Roy in the deal, as the Blazers seem to be potentially set at the shooting guard position. They would be able to unload Roy's massive contract as the Jazz would get help with their biggest need - the two-guard position.

It would also benefit the Jazz as they seem to have a logjam in the frontcourt with Paul Millsap, Derrick Favors, Al Jefferson, and newly-drafted Enes Kanter. They would be filling perhaps their biggest need in the deal.

Sacramento would receive Raja Bell, who is still considered to be a top-tier defender. The Kings do not play defense, so it would still help them if he gets a decent amount of minutes.

Jason Thompson

The Scenario:

Portland receives: Jason Thompson & a future second round pick

Sacramento receives: Gerald Wallace

The Blazers would be acquiring former lottery selection Jason Thompson in this scenario, as he has not lived up to expectations in Sacramento. With the drafting of DeMarcus Cousins last year, it all seemingly ended Thompson's starting role at center.

Thompson is still very young and will be entering the prime of his career soon and could be a valuable asset to the Blazers, as he would probably become the replacement to the aging Marcus Camby.

If Camby does return to Portland this upcoming season, Thompson would automatically become the back-up and would also be one of the better ones in the league.

His addition would help the Blazers free up cap space, as they would be getting rid of Wallace's $10.5 million deal in exchange for Thompson's $2 million deal that would come off the books at the end of the season.

The trade also helps the Kings as Wallace can play at both forward positions as he would return to California for a second stint. A lineup consisting of Tyreke Evans, Marcus Thornton (if re-signed), John Salmons, Wallace and Cousins could become one of the better up-and-coming squads in the NBA.

Anderson Varejao

The Scenario:

Portland receives: PF/C Anderson Varejao & SF Alonzo Gee

Cleveland receives: SG Brandon Roy, SF Lazar Hayward & a future second round pick

Minnesota receives: PG Daniel Gibson

Brazilian Anderson Varejao would be heading West in this deal as the Blazers would acquire the 6'11" combo player. Varejao, although listed as a power forward, primarily played at center for the Cavs last season as Antawn Jamison and J.J. Hickson logged in minutes at the four spot.

Varejao, who many consider a scrappy player, would help the Blazers as they need help at both the power forward and center positions. The big man is a quality rebounder that could be a nice fit alongside Aldridge and Camby.

Portland would also acquire Alonzo Gee to replace Roy and would give the Blazers yet another good three-point shooter.

Cleveland would receive Brandon Roy in the deal, which would help the Cavs with their biggest need. Roy is also an electric scorer at points which is something that the Cavs lacked throughout the past season.

Robin Lopez

The Scenario:

Portland receives: C Robin Lopez

Phoenix receives: SF Luke Babbitt & two future second-round picks (or future first-round pick)

The Suns seem to be stacked in the froncourt, featuring players such as Marcin Gortat, Robin Lopez, Channing Frye, Hakim Warrick, Garrett Siler and the newly-drafted Markieff Morris.

There's got to be an odd man out somewhere in there and rumors have been circulating that it is in fact Robin Lopez, a former first-round pick of the Suns.

Lopez doesn't have great offensive ability, but he is a good defensive player. Utilizing his size, the former Cardinal is able to grab up plenty of rebounds, while also blocking and altering shots.

Of course, he would have to succumb to becoming the back-up to Marcus Camby, but he should receive an ample amount of minutes. With Camby getting older, Lopez could also become the successor to the veteran.

Phoenix would receive Luke Babbitt, one of Portland's first-round selections last year, in the deal. Babbitt did not log in a single minute last season but he could flourish in the Run 'N Gun style of play that Phoenix runs. The Suns would also receive a pick or two in the deal to round out the trade.

Marreese Speights

The Scenario:

Portland receives: C Marreese Speights

Philadelphia receives: SF Luke Babbitt & a future second-round pick

In one of the simpler deals, the Blazers would receive forward-center Marreese Speights in exchange for Luke Babbitt, a first-round selection last year.

Philadelphia's selection of Nikola Vucevic in the first round last week makes the former Florida Gator expendable as they are looking to build around him in the frontcourt.

Speights has a lot of upside and could be a very valuable back-up as the Blazers look to go deep in the postseason.

However, Speights is known for not playing any type of defense, but luckily for him, he will have Marcus Camby ahead of him in the rotation. Camby, although he is considered old for an NBA player, is one of the best defensive centers in the league and could mentor Speights before he retires.

Andrea Bargnani

The Scenario:

Portland receives: PF/C Andrea Bargnani

Toronto receives: SG Brandon Roy, future second-round pick (From POR) and a future first-round pick (from SAC)

Sacramento receives: PG Jose Calderon

In one of the simpler deals of the 12 slides, the Blazers would acquire Andrea Bargnani in the deal, who has seemingly been on the trading block for quite a while. 

They would finally unload Bargs in this deal, as he would likely be considered the Blazers' center of the future. Although not a prototypical center, Bargnani and Aldridge could split time at the five-spot in the near future whenever Marcus Camby decides to call it a career.

The addition of Bargnani would be a good one, as the Italian's game compliments the other frontcourt members' games well.

Aldridge is thought to be a player that can bang down low in the paint, while grabbing offensive rebounds and dominating the paint. Camby is a defensive force that is a solid rebounder and shot-blocker, but lacks a dominant offensive game. Bargnani is a typical shooter that can nail down three-pointers and anywhere outside the paint. Although he's not a very good rebounder, it can be left up to Aldridge and Camby to do the dirty work.

Bargnani would be added to a corps of the newly-acquired Raymond Felton, Wes Matthews, Gerald Wallace and Aldridge - this rotation would automatically become one of the best in the Western Conference, especially when you consider the Blazers having rookie Nolan Smith, Nicolas Batum and Camby occupying other roster spots.

Darko Milicic

The Scenario:

Portland receives: C Darko Milicic, PF Ekpe Udoh and a future second-round pick (From MIN)

Minnesota receives: C Andris Biedrins, PG Jeremy Lin and a future first-round pick (From GS)

Golden State receives: F Michael Beasley & F Gerald Wallace

First off, the Warriors make off like bandits in this deal as they deal away an overpaid and under-achieving center (Biedrins) and an unproven power forward (Udoh) in exchange for Minnesota's Beasley and Portland's Gerald Wallace.

The acquisition of Wallace gives something the Warriors have been lacking for the past decade - defense. Wallace is considered one of the best defensive forwards in the league and would give them that great element.

The Blazers would hit two birds with one stone as they would acquire two players that fill both needs on their roster. With a glaring need in the frontcourt, they would receive 2010 first-round pick Ekpe Udoh, who's potential is sky-high.

Darko Milicic would also be added in the deal, as he has been slowly getting better over the past couple of seasons. The former No. 2 overall pick in the infamous 2003 draft has shown that he can be a decent player and would fit well into the Blazers' plans.

Brendan Haywood

The Scenario:

Portland receives: C Brendan Haywood & PF/C Trevor Booker

Dallas receives: PF Andray Blatche & PF Kevin Seraphin

Washington receives: F Gerald Wallace, C Ian Mahinmi, PG Armon Johnson & a future second-round pick (From DAL)

Of course, this deal only works if the Mavericks re-sign Tyson Chandler. If they are not able to re-sign him, there is no way this trade would happen because they would lose two starting capable centers.

A highly unlikely scenario, this could be considered a blockbuster deal of sorts.

The Blazers would receive Brendan Haywood and his horrible contract in the deal, who would become an immediate force in the paint for Portland. Although he would likely be sent to the pine during his first season, he would still log in many valuable minutes.

Adding Haywood to a rotation that already consists of LaMarcus Aldridge and Marcus Camby, the Blazers would become a force to be reckoned with.

The former Wizard is a defensive force in the paint, just like Camby, and is considered a great rebounder and shot-blocker. Although his offensive game still needs to be refined, it wouldn't be needed as the Blazers already have a decent amount of shooters.

Portland would also receive Trevor Booker in the deal, a former first-round selection of Washington. Booker is a big body in the paint and can play either power forward or center. He showed glimpses of hope last season and could get even better with more playing time.

Zaza Pachulia

The Scenario:

Portland receives: C Zaza Pachulia & G Randy Foye

Atlanta receives: SG Brandon Roy & G Willie Warren

Los Angeles receives: SF Marvin Williams

As of late, the Hawks have been reluctant to get rid of Pachulia, but this deal may be too good to pass up.

Portland would acquire Pachulia and Foye in the deal, while giving up Brandon Roy in the process. Pachulia fills an immediate need at center and will become the back-up to Marcus Camby.

Although he is likely not the long-term answer, he would be considered to be one of the best back-ups in the league. Throughout his career, he is mainly been thought to come off the pine and that will likely continue in Portland as they look to find a top-tier replacement to Camby.

The Blazers would also receive Randy Foye in the deal, who would be added to an already-stacked backcourt. Primarily a shooting guard, Foye would also be penciled in as the back-up to Wes Matthews, who signed a five-year, $35 million deal last summer.

With Elliot Williams and rookie Jon Diebler as the other shooting guards, there is no doubt that Foye would become the second option due to his NBA experience.

As stated above, the Hawks would receive Brandon Roy in the deal, which immediately fills a need at shooting guard, as the impending doom of Jamal Crawford's departure looms. Adding Roy gives Atlanta some lee-way, as they can possibly start Roy at the two-guard, while moving Joe Johnson to small forward because of Marvin Williams' departure.

Chris Kaman

The Scenario:

Portland receives: C Chris Kaman

L.A. Clippers receive: F Gerald Wallace & C Mehmut Okur

Sacramento receives: G Randy Foye, SF Jeremy Evans & a future second-round pick (From Utah)

Utah receives: SF Ryan Gomes & G/F Francisco Garcia

Of course, this is an absolute mega-deal and I highly doubt it'd happen but it could with all the trade chips and it helps each other's needs.

In this mega-deal, the Blazers would acquire center Chris Kaman in the deal, who has been on the trading block for the last few months.

With the Clips likely to move on with DeAndre Jordan at center (if re-signed), it makes Kaman expendable and thus, would likely be moved before the start of the season (if there is one).

Adding Kaman to the Blazers would give them one hell of a frontcourt that already includes Aldridge and Camby.

Kaman and Camby would likely split time at center, with the latter likely retiring at the end of the 2011-12 season. The former Spartan would immediately become the starter for the Blazers, as they hope to build around the big frontcourt.

Omer Asik

The Scenario:

Portland receives: C Omer Asik

Chicago receives: F/C Marreese Speights & a future second-round pick (From POR)

Philadelphia receives: SF Luke Babbitt & a future second-round pick (From CHI)

Although the Bulls have said they would prefer not to get rid of Asik, they acquire a center in the deal that is just as good, if not better.

Asik is still very young and has a good amount of potential, as he will be entering the second year of his NBA career. It is questionable whether he is the long term answer for the Blazers as the starting center, but he is a quality back-up that could help the team down the road.

The Russian also comes at a fairly low price with a 2011-12 salary coming at less than $2 million.

As stated above, Chicago receives former Gator Marreese Speights in the deal, a former first-round pick. He would immediately become the back-up to Joakim Noah, who also played at Florida.

Jermaine O'Neal

The Scenario:

Portland receives: C Jermaine O'Neal, F Charlie Villanueva

Boston receives: C Andrea Bargnani

Toronto receives: SG Avery Bradley, SG Rip Hamilton, C Ben Wallace & a future first-round pick (From BOS)

Detroit receives: F Gerald Wallace, PG Jose Calderon & a future second-round pick (From POR)

This is also a mega-deal, but in reality, it could happen. Jermaine O'Neal isn't the player he used to be and is the only legitimate center on the C's roster. Toronto's Bargnani and Calderon have been the subject of trade rumors ever since the season ended (and maybe even before). News surrounding Rip Hamilton has consisted of being bought out by Detroit, being traded, or just being released. Also, the Pistons' Charlie Villanueva has not lived up to the hype thus far and has fallen out of favor with the people of Detroit.

In this deal, Portland would welcome a reunion for Jermaine O'Neal, who was originally drafted by the team in 1996. J.O., as he was once called, would undoubtedly not be the long term answer at center since he is getting up there in age, but he would give them depth during the season if he could stay healthy. His $5.8 million salary will also be taken off the books when the season concludes.

The Blazers would also get ex-Raptor Charlie Villanueva in the deal, who has not lived up to the hype since signing with Detroit two years ago (Ben Gordon has also fared the same). It looks as though he needs a change of weather and coming off the bench in Portland could provide that spark.

For Boston, they finally get the center they've longed for in hopes of making a deep run in the playoffs to hopefully collect their second championship in the last five years. Acquiring Bargs would form a young corps of Rajon Rondo, Jeff Green (if re-signed) and himself, so they could brace for the retirements of the first edition of the "Big Three".

Toronto, although giving up two key players, would receive three players in the deal along with a future first-round pick from Boston. Already in the rebuilding process, they would have to hope Jerryd Bayless can run the point efficiently (if they don't make a second deal later).

They would also receive Rip Hamilton's soon-to-be expiring contract, but he could very well be bought out, while giving the Brian Colangelo and the Raps even more cap space. And even though Ben Wallace isn't the player he used to be, he still a valuable player that can mentor such players as Amir Johnson and Ed Davis.

For the Pistons, they receive Gerald Wallace, who is a monster on the defensive end and like Ben Wallace, he could mentor younger players on the roster. He also provides a consistent scoring threat. It is currently unknown if Detroit will retain Rodney Stuckey and if they don't, Calderon would take over and could also possibly be considered an upgrade.