they're not competing for a championship this year so why not? 1-year deal for Kaman, savings on MWP's $7m (if it pushes through. July 10 pa yata pwede). Makes sense for the 2014 plan.
Also, they needed a starting center, Kaman was willing for a 1yr deal so why not. D'Antoni definitely needs to adapt. His personnel are oldies who can't run. He needs a different sytem this year.
Even if you are not competing for a championship this year, you still want to establish some sort of system in place....some semblance of direction. In a MDA system, Gasol is perfect at the 5. MWP can even play the 4. Lakers hired MDA because they said during the hire, the MDA system is the best option for success considering the roster at that time. If they change the system altogether, then the hire was off base. Whatever changes MDA may implement, it has always benefited wing players. Kaman is like a screw being inserted on a square peg.
For MWP, it's not really savings per se. They still have to pay his salary. If they really wanted savings that much, Gasol was the better option. Or Kobe the obvious choice. I don't think he can get back this year fully healthy. Then the tax saving on him alone would be upwards of $40M.
That's why it makes no sense. They are not really tanking but are not really competing.
Basically sign whoever is out there even if he doesn't fit the coach's system, get rid of players who thrive in the coach's system, coach may adjust, coach may not adjust to a new system, then....bahala na si Batman.