Ryan Gomes Trade?

[shrink]

I''d like some input on this proposal from the LAC side:

Gomes ($4.76 mil) for Tim Thomas ($6.05) + MIN pick (Top 10 protected until 2012)

Reasons not to do it:

1. Gomes doesn't fit/LAC likes Tim Thomas better (pass)
2. Ryan Gomes can be acquired by outbidding MIN and other teams, and maintaining the pick

Reasons to do it:

1. Clears $1.3 mil, which I believe allows LAC to match any offer for Josh Smith or Okafor
2. Replaces Tim Thomas' bad contract with Ryan Gomes decent one - makes roster dollars more functional on the floor.
3. With a better SF/PF on board, LAC isn't dealing from weakness, and can help avoid bad deals.
4. The Top 10 protected future 1st doesn't help a win-now Baron team.
5. This deal preserves their MLE to offer for someone else.

Your position?

[Clip34life]

Wouldn't want to sign Gomes for that much.

[Clip34life]

If this can be a Craig Smith/Gomes combo deal that would be awesome.

[shrink]

Wouldn't want to sign Gomes for that much.

I suppose it could be front loaded, but $4.76 is the lowest it can be to salary match Tim Thomas's big deal. Gomes was a pretty consistent 17 PPG-7 RPG when he started.

If this can be a Craig Smith/Gomes combo deal that would be awesome.

Craig Smith can certainly be had, but I do not believe you can combine two sign-and-trades in one deal.

[ClipperDomination]

The pick makes this trade a little less appealing than if we added a expiring, or a late 1st/early 2nd.

I wouldn't include the pick return.

[shrink]

The pick makes this trade a little less appealing than if we added a expiring, or a late 1st/early 2nd.

I wouldn't include the pick return.

At a minimum, MIN could simply not match an offer for Gomes, and not pay any salary. This is not an expiring -- more like a TPE for them. Late firsts can be bought for $3 mil., and this deal forces them to pay $12.5 mil.