Chris Kaman to the Knicks: Guide to How the Move Would Work

Chris Kaman has been involved in NBA trade rumors for the better part of a full calendar year, and despite the ongoing lockout, speculation hasn't died down regarding where he may be headed next.

The Los Angeles Clippers have a very young and promising center in DeAndre Jordan, and as a restricted free agent, Jordan will be in line for a sizable raise from the team as the Clippers look to build toward the future.

When Kaman was sidelined due to injury in 2011-12, Jordan finally flashed the potential that the team was hoping for, and he made his presence felt on the court when given the opportunity to play major minutes as a starter.

Should the team dole out a lucrative contract to Jordan, the club could very well look to move Kaman and his expiring $12.2 million deal, as the Clippers have Eric Gordon headed for restricted free agency in 2012.

It's also possible that the Clippers simply let Kaman walk at season's end as a free agent because he's likely going to command an impressive contract as an offensive-minded center.

He could really help the Knicks in the short term.

How It Could Happen: Trade

Los Angeles doesn't want the progress DeAndre Jordan made last season to go by the wayside, so reducing his playing time might not be in the team's best long-term interests.

The Clippers almost certainly won't pay Kaman approximately $12 million to have a seat on the bench for extended periods, so it would make sense for the team to explore its options in regards to Kaman if the team believes Jordan is the center of the future.

It's really difficult to find an offensive-minded center with the skill set that Kaman possesses, and as a legitimate seven-footer in a league that doesn't have many of them, his allure to a team lacking an inside presence is clear.

There's no question that he could really help New York in the short-term, as it allows Amar'e Stoudemire to focus solely at the power forward position and the team wouldn't be forced to start an undersized Ronny Turiaf.

His expiring deal would also give the Knicks increased financial flexibility going forward, and that's something the team might value just as highly as what he can provide on the court.

Potential Trade: Three-team deal

Los Angeles Receives: PG Chauncey Billups, two future second round picks from New York

The Clippers get a veteran point guard in Billups who can serve as a bridge at the position as well as a mentor to Eric Bledsoe, who many believe to be the point guard of the future for L.A.

He's exactly the type of player that a young locker room needs, and his style of play would mesh very well with Blake Griffin down low.

New York Receives: C Chris Kaman, PG Andre Miller

The Knicks finally receive an answer in the middle in Kaman and add a veteran point guard in Miller who could really benefit the team.

Miller and Kaman both have expiring contracts, so if the New York doesn't bode well with the experiment, the team can wipe off a whopping $20 million from the books prior to 2012.

Denver Receives: PF/C Ronny Turiaf, SG Randy Foye, PG Mo Williams

There's no doubt that Ty Lawson is the point guard of the future for the Nuggets, but Mo Williams can play alongside him (at times) at shooting guard as well as serve as his backup at the point position.

Additionally, the Nuggets get a very underappreciated Randy Foye who played admirably for the Clippers when forced into action, as well as Ronny Turiaf who gives the team some front-line depth after losing Nene to free agency and both Wilson Chandler and Kenyon Martin to China.

How It Could Happen: Signing

The Knicks could choose to wait out Kaman's deal if the team is serious about adding him to the fold, but that would indicate that the franchise is sold on his long-term prospects.

In addition to New York's rookies who have yet to sign contracts, the Knicks have over $41 million wrapped up in Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and Renaldo Balkman, the club won't have much long-term wiggle room going forward.

Clearly, a trade would be in the best interest of the Knicks if the team is holding out to sign Chris Paul as many have speculated (Anthony already admitted he wants Paul in New York), but that may not be a feasible scenario under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

There's no question that Kaman will get a multi-year deal as he'll be just 30 years old by the time the 2012 offseason hits, but the Knicks might be hesitant to make that type of commitment considering he hasn't played in all 82 games since his rookie season.

In two of his last three seasons, Kaman has played in less than 35 regular season games.

How Kaman Fits with the Knicks

As previously alluded to, New York has a gaping hole in the middle of the starting five, and that was glaringly obvious throughout last season.

This is not a new problem for the Knicks, as it has been an issue that has plagued the franchise over the last decade.

While Eddy Curry played decent basketball on the offensive end in 2006-07, he was absolutely atrocious on the defensive end, as partially evidenced by his average marks of 0.5 blocks and 0.4 steals compared to 3.6 turnovers.

This franchise has to go all the way back to when Marcus Camby was suited up in orange and blue to find a man in the middle who could actually contribute on both sides of the ball, and it's about time that pattern turned itself around in emphatic fashion.

Although Kaman is not always heralded for his defense, he is certainly capable of contributing on that end, and anything he could provide would be an improvement from what the team has received from the position.

Chances of Knicks Winning a Championship

It's tough to forecast the Knicks as a championship-caliber team even if New York could add Kaman to the current roster.

The club would have an impressive starting lineup with Kaman in between Anthony and Stoudemire, but it might not be enough to surpass a young Chicago Bulls lineup and the three-headed monster in Miami.

If Kaman came aboard, the championship chances of the Knicks rise from where it currently stands, but it wouldn't result in the drastic increase that some fans may be expecting with the addition of a true center.

The most pressing issue with this group is the lack of depth in the second unit, and until that issue is addressed more thoroughly, the Knicks will only go so far.

It would certainly be exciting to see what he could add to the lineup and how the Knicks would adjust, but his presence in the key is unlikely to be the missing piece to the title puzzle.