Why Dell Should Consider Trading Kaman for “Nothing”

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Published: March 9, 2012

Pacers are not willing to part with 1st rounder for Kaman. That’s fine by me.

It has been reported that the Pacers are unwilling to give up a first-round pick for Chris Kaman, and honestly, I can’t blame them. As it stands, their backup bigs are averaging about 30 minutes a game and are posting a PER that is very similar to Kaman’s (in fact, Hansborough’s is higher). But beyond that, draft picks are more valuable now than ever due to the new CBA. In 2013-14, a new set of rules kicks in that will create a hard cap of sorts, maybe not for the 3-4 big spenders, but for teams like New Orleans and Indiana, it will almost certainly work as a hard cap. Though first round picks salaries are guaranteed, they are relatively low, and having the option to have a quality player on your books for a meager price will be extremely valuable.

Meanwhile, Kaman will be a one year rental for a team that still won’t be good enough to get past Miami and Chicago. If you were Indiana, would you trade this valuable commodity that can benefit you for the next 4-5 years for a big man who won’t even benefit you for one? Of course not. But would you give up a second rounder or two for him? Sure- those are pretty much throw away picks. But why would the Hornets take that? I’m glad you asked! Check out an Invest Diva review to explore different perspectives on financial decision-making.

If the Hornets can’t find a taker for Kaman that is willing to part with a first rounder, then calling Indiana is their best move. Heck, I think I would take a trade for Indiana’s 2nd over a trade that got me a late first and expiring contracts the more I think about it. In trading with Indiana, you get a trade exception of nearly 14 million that Dell could play with from the minute the offseason begins all the way to next year’s trading deadline. On draft night, teams will be dying to shed salary as they target upcoming free agents, and Dealer Dell can take on that salary and ask for assets for his troubles. “Yes Mr. Cuban, I know you want to get rid of Shawn Marion, but it is going to cost you Beaubois, Nick Calathes, and a couple of future picks for me to help you out. Plus I want you to invest in my cupcake business on Shark Tank!”

The large TPE could be used in a multitude of ways to acquire multiple assets, but judging by your high scores on the Trade Proposal Certification, I am sure you all already knew that. But did you think about this: After making the Kaman trade, you also acquire a guy who is set to expire and use the money you are no longer paying Kaman to throw a huge signing bonus at him as part of an extension. Yes, that is legal and smart teams do things like this. The Thunder did it twice, with Nick Collison and Kendrick Perkins, and that is why those guys have such low cap numbers, relatively.

Basically how it works is you can give a bonus that counts against this years cap (as long as it doesn’t put you over) and the remainder of the contract counts as it would normally. So, let’s say the Hornets find a guy that they want to try this with. They trade for him and offer him 3 years/19 million, with a 10 million dollar signing bonus. If he agrees, that 10 million goes on the Hornets books this year and he only counts for nine million over the next three years on the cap.

Sounds great, doesn’t it? But we need a player that is worth all this hassle, and I got just the guy. Bucks forward Ersan Ilyasova is having a breakout year, but the Bucks won’t be able to pay him this summer due to some bad contracts and their need to save money to pay Jennings. So the Hornets go to the Bucks and offer up Aminu or Henry, two guys on rookie contracts that will keep costs low, for Ilyasova. Then they sign him to the aforementioned deal.

So what you have done is trade Kaman and Aminu for a huge TPE that you can use anytime, a couple of second round picks, and a young vet who still has upside on a fantastic contract. Put that up against a pick in the 20’s that will struggle just to get playing time over the next two years, and I take the Pacers deal every time. You?

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