Well-traveled Kaman makes a pitstop for EuroBasket 2011

With all the traveling Chris Kaman has done the last four years, he should perhaps consider buying stock in Samsonite or Tumi.

The Los Angeles Clippers' center, who doubles as the center for the German national team, has been on road trips across Deutschland which have included stops in Bamberg, Bremen, Munich, Wurzburg, Mannheim, Pottenstein and Frankfurt on his way to Beijing, China for the 2008 Olympics.

This year he's adding Lithuania to his itinerary.

Along with Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki, Kaman will help anchor a German national team as one of 24 teams who will compete in six arenas and cities -- Vilnius, Kaunas, Siauliai, Klaipeda, Panevezys, Alytus -- scattered across Lithuania at EuroBasket 2011 between Aug. 31- Sept. 18.

A successful showing at EuroBasket could pave Germany's road to the 2012 Olympics in London.

"When you think about it, we're still a pretty young team," said Kaman. "It's going to take some time to get all of the pieces working together, but I'm not worried about that. We'll be fine."

The German team won a silver medal at EuroBasket 2005 in Serbia and Montenegro and secured the gold medal in 1993 in Germany.

If only Kaman were as optimistic about the NBA lockout and the trade rumors which will surely welcome him back to Los Angeles if a collective bargaining agreement can eventually be reached between the players and owners.

"I know there is a lockout and I don't want to get myself in any trouble, but I try and speak my mind and don't hold a lot back. I've always been a real open mic person. I kind of get myself in trouble doing that sometimes but that's just who I am. It creates some controversy sometimes and I like that," said Kaman, who has considered playing overseas and even sticking around Germany if the lockout lingers.

"Playing here definitely helps with exposure for other teams this season if the NBA season doesn't go through."

Last year when speculation mounted at February's trade deadline that he could be moved, Kaman reminded himself, "life can change like that." With Blake Griffin a lock at power forward and the Clippers high on the raw abilities of center DeAndre Jordan, Kaman could be odd-man out in Los Angeles' front court.

"With me, I've started for the last eight years -- minus the injuries -- and I'm used to that and I like that, so I don't know how it's going to go having both me and DeAndre (Jordan). We both have good size and are good at different parts of the game. There are some tough decisions there, so when the lockout ends I don't know what is going to happen there. I hear a lot of trade rumors."

An unrestricted free agent in 2012, last season Kaman battled a left ankle injury and averaged 12.4 points and 7.0 rebounds in 32 games as the Clippers hovered around .500 before limping to a 30-52 finish.

Maybe it's time to keep those suitcases packed. Still, for Kaman, life right now is all about EuroBasket in Lithuania.

"At the end of the day I just want to play basketball and right now that means representing Germany."