ESPN reported that the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers are currently discussing a possible trade that would send Clippers center Chris Kaman to the 76ers in exchange for forward Andre Iguodala.
Kaman will enter the final year of his contract and is scheduled to receive $12.2 million. On the other hand, Iguodala has three years left on his current contract, the third being a player option, which could possibly pay over $44 million in total compensation.
Despite his selection to the 2010 All-Star Game, Kaman has been oft injured during the 2010-11 season. He played only 32 games due to nagging injuries, finishing with 12.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.
Kaman is the only remaining Clippers player that was a part of the 2005-06 team that achieved a second round playoff appearance, the first in the franchise’s history since moving from Buffalo in 1978. Due to his injuries and the emergence of DeAndre Jordan, who becomes a restricted free agent in the offseason, Kaman shared the starting role during the latter portion of the 2010-11 season.
Iguodala played alongside Clippers guard Eric Gordon during the 2010 FIBA World Championships, which saw Team USA win the gold medal. He averaged 14.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game this past season.
In the 2011 Playoffs, Iguodala’s point production was slightly down at 11.4 points per game, but his other statistics were in line with the regular season—7.0 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.0 steals per game. His 76ers team met the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs, but lost the series 4-1.
Iguodala could help fill the Clippers’ void at the small forward position, a glaring weakness in the current starting lineup. In addition to his athleticism, he is a strong defender who recently earned a spot on the 2011 NBA All-Defensive Second Team.
On the other side of the possible trade, Kaman would give the 76ers a true center with a solid offensive skill set. However, his suspect health will certainly be a prime factor in the 76ers’ decision to further trade talks with the Clippers.
As reported by ESPN, a source said that the Clippers may also have to add another trade piece in order to move past the discussion phase.
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