Portland Trail Blazers Keep Chris Kaman Under Contract

Jabari Young of CSNNW is reportingthat thePortland Trail Blazershave elected to keep centerChris Kamanunder contract for the 2015-16 season.

Kaman, 33, will make the full $5 million in the final of a two-year deal he signed with the team after the Trail Blazers elected not to waive the veteran center by the 5PM ET (2PM Pacific) deadline.

Kaman signed for $4.8 million last season with a second, non-guaranteed year to follow. In picking up that option the Blazers now owe $5 million to the 33-year-old center. Had they chosen not to retain him they would have owed $1 million and Kaman would have been free to sign elsewhere.

Picking up the option leaves open the possibility of using Kaman in a trade. Young also acknowledges this while giving a clue who the Blazers might pursue in free agency.

It's no secret the Blazers plan to pursue free agent centerGreg Monroe, and the team just addedMason PlumleeandNoah Vonleh; hence, a move to trade Kaman to is still a possibility, though, the team hasn't indicated such. If Kaman does remain, his veteran experience could help the newly acquired big men.

Kaman averaged 8.6 points and 6.5 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per game over 74 appearances for the Blazers last year.