When a player is unhappy than he's unhappy. If Smith doesn't want to stay in ATL than Kaman is definitely a perfect fit in ATL. Taken, Smith begins to like ATL again than I don't see as much of a reason to do this. But you have to remember, it's really hard to come by dominant centers now-a-days so Kaman's value is a lot higher than normal.
Smith has done interviews after his resigning and has basically said that any issues between him and Woodson were way overblown. Even if they weren't, then he has sent overtures of reconciliation, and the Hawks will accept that and move on.
I like Kaman, but if we trade Smith for him, then I'd be worried if Horford and Kaman wouldn't fit together. It's never good when your bigs are fighting for the low blocks. If we were in the mix for Kaman, then we'd want Horford+filler for him (maybe Horford, Zaza, and Speedy for Kaman and Tim Thomas?). We'd get older, but we'd be in a good place (a bunch of athletes around a banger C) for at least 4 years. But I'm not sure that LAC would want to do that though. Kaman supplies more right now than Horford. On the other hand, Gordon, Thornton, and Horford could make a fine young trio so it may not matter.
I don't like Camby at the PF position. I think he'd be a horrible PF. By moving him to the C position and acquiring Marion and Haslem, you'd be in contention for a chip. B-Diddy shoots in the low 30's from the three point line. Kaman is just not suited for the uptempo style B-Diddy's going to bring to the Clips and, if Kaman is still in LA next season, you'll see that Kaman is going to have a really tough time adjusting.
I think Kaman would be fine in an up-tempo game. With his attitude, he'd prolly love it. All he'd have to do is rebound/outlet or block a shot to another player - he wouldn't even have to run down to the other end of the court. An up-tempo game needs a big that can turn defensive pressure into offensive fast breaks (this was actually a reason that so many scouts loved Love - his rebounding to outlet passing was quick and accurate), and Kaman can do that - even if he can't run the floor too well. It'd prolly just serve to keep him fresh for games that are more 1/2 court slugfests. Then LAC could use his ability to bang inside more so than Camby anyway.
As far as Camby @ PF, I'm interested in watching. He could play a high post on O so that he and Kaman wouldn't butt heads. On D, LAC could basically play zone with Camby on one block and Kaman on the other when both are on the court. They'd have an elite shot blocker on both sides of the court as well as an elite rebounder (both ranked in the top 3 on a per game average last year). It would be very hard for teams to get points in the paint. It's an interesting duo.
Phiboy i just want to hear your opinion really quick, would Miami do this trade in a heartbeat?
Whenever you get the best player AND the best prospect in a deal, it's a no brainer, you do it. Marion may be a little better than Smith right now (due to consistency), but when you factor in that Marion is just passing his prime @ 30, while Smith has a few years before hitting his @ 22, then it becomes a no contest. Even if Smith has no improvement in his game, the fact that he'll supply at least a similar game for many more years than Marion means that his present value as a player is much greater. A core of Wade/Beasley/Smith definitely would be worthy to rebuild around - all you need is some man-to-man defenders who could shoot the 3 around those 3 and you could go far. And the championship window would be open for at least 5 years. With Wade being the oldest of the trio, he'd be the one that would actually close the window.
Even so, I wonder if Riley would cut us in. Riley has had a dominant C throughout his coaching career: Kareem in LA (4 rings), Ewing in NY (0 rings, but some good runs), and Shaq in MIA (1 ring). After he traded Shaq, it seemed that he became completely disinterested - even giving up the HC role almost immediately after the season. I really couldn't see Riley letting a young 16/12 C through his hands - especially if he traded the parts to free him up.
