NBA Trade Winds: How the Toronto Raptors Can Reel in Chris Kaman

Here is a possible trade scenario involving the Los Angeles Clippers and the Toronto Raptors that could help the Raptors find a center. This move would also allow for Andrea Bargnani to play at the power forward position. This would suite Bargnani better, since he is more of a shooter than a back-to-the basket type of player.

This might not be the perfect trade, but it is a possibility that should be considered.

Let’s meet the people involved in the proposed trade!

Chris Kaman

Kaman has one year left on his contract and has spent his entire career with the Clippers. However, after the debut of Blake Griffin, and the play of DeAndre Jordan, Kaman may be out of the rotation.

Randy Foye

Foye has spent time with Minnesota, Washington and has been with the Clippers since last season. He is entering the final year of his contract, and will most likely play behind Jerryd Bayless in Toronto.

Ryan Gomes

Gomes has spent time with Boston, Minnesota and signed with the Clippers last year. He can play multiple positions (shooting guard and small forward) and has two years remaining on his current deal.

Jose Calderon

Calderon has been a member of the Toronto Raptors since signing with the team as a free agent back in 2005. He signed a long-term extension with the team in July 2008 but has seen his performance fall in the past two NBA seasons. He has two years left on his current deal.

Leandro Barbosa

Barbosa joined the Toronto Raptors last summer as part of the Hidayet Turkoglu trade with Phoenix. Previously he spent seven seasons as a member of the Phoenix Suns. Barbosa played well enough in Phoenix to sign a five-year extension worth $34 million in August 2006, as he was known for his shooting ability and speed coming off the bench, including performances during the playoffs.

This past season, Barbosa averaged 13.3 points per game appearing in 58 games. He has one year left on his current contract.

Amir Johnson

Johnson entered the NBA directly out of high school while getting drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the second-round in 2005. Johnson did not see a lot of playing time until he was acquired by the Toronto Raptors in 2009 where he averaged 6.2 points per game only to see that number increase to a career-high 9.6 last season including 54 starts.

Johnson signed a five-year $34 million extension with the Raptors during the summer of 2010, and currently has four years left on his contract.