Chris Humphreys-USA Today Sports
Just days after losing out on free agent center Dwight Howard, the Los Angeles Lakers have looked elsewhere in establishing a front court rotation that will help replace his production from a season ago.
On Monday afternoon, news emerged that the Lakers and free agent center Chris Kaman have agreed in principle one a one-year deal. At the time of the news, details of the contract were not made available.
Kaman, a true 7-footer and ten year veteran, provides stability in the front court and he will return to Los Angeles for the first time since the 2010-11 season. The Lakers may be trying to send a message to the Los Angeles Clippers who drafted Kaman back in 2003 and had the services of Kaman for eight full seasons. Kaman’s best years were spent in L.A., so the Lakers will be hoping that he can get that rhythm back after a couple lackluster seasons since.
Just this pat season, Kaman averaged 10.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. His scoring average was the lowest in his career since the 2006-07 season. The fit with the Lakers however, is ideal. Los Angeles will look to lean back on the front court production of Pau Gasol, but there’s no denying the fact that the Los Angeles front court has diminished over the past couple of years.
Kaman will provide stability and production, but it’s impossible to replace the presence that Howard had, even though it was for only one, injury-plagued season. Same though could apply to Andrew Bynum the year before. Long story short, it’ll be interesting to see what Gasol has up his sleeve this season and what type of partnership Kaman could give him down low.
Follow Paul Seaver on Twitter: @PaulSeaverRS
