New Orleans Hornets center Chris Kaman has a bruised left tibia and likely will miss the rest of the season, the team announced Tuesday.
According to the Hornets, Kaman suffered the injury in Sunday’s home win over Memphis. He sat out Monday’s win at Charlotte, although according to the AP story, the team gave no reason for his absence.
Kaman’s absence over the last five games is not a big deal for the Hornets, who acquired him in the Chris Paul deal and spent much of the season trying to trade his expiring contract. They even sat him for six games while they explored trade options.
Kaman made $14 million this season, a huge chunk of money that New Orleans likely will knock off its cap figure in the offseason as it continues a massive rebuilding project.
While he was on the court, Kaman wasn’t bad, averaging 13.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 47 games, leading the Hornets with 15 double-doubles. In nine seasons – the first eight with the Los Angeles Clippers – Kaman has averaged 11.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 540 games.
The 7-foot Kaman is sure to draw interest on the free agent market. His biggest issue is health, having played 75 games in a season just four times in nine years and once in the last five.