Does the Gomes contract make us a player in free agency?

by 52therim on Jun 25, 2010 9:47 AM PDT

While much of the BE speculation has been packaging Gomes in a trade to benefit from his partially non-guaranteed contract, waiving his contract prior to July 1 will provide the team with significant cap savings into next season. I believe these savings are approximately $3M (which translates to $6M if the Blazers venture into lux tax land). The Blazers have always had the opportunity to use the MLE this off season, but it was not very attractive to anybody watching the Blazer bottom line. The luxury tax is awfully punitive to those that go over. I have been of the opinion that we would not use the MLE due to these financial constraints. Now, if we feel there is a good target in free agency, the suits may feel much more free to agressively pursue a targeted FA.

Seems like Mike Miller and Kyle Korver are the most frequent names mentioned who might be available for the Mid-level. Any other names that jump out? Does anybody like Gomes better than the possible alternatives? How does signing a mid-level player now affect our future luxury tax situation? We may not want to sign a guy, even if we are under the tax for next season, if it is going to put us in a tough situation in future seasons beyond next season.

Thoughts?

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not really but i think we have money now

by Daddygr33nJeans on Jun 25, 2010 9:51 AM PDT reply actions

Darius Songaila from New Orleans has a $4.5 million player option

I think that Gomes could be traded for him along with cash to save N.O. the money. Songaila is sure to exercise his option. This separate trade would be a precursor to a bigger trade with N.O. (I’m not implying anything am I?)

by parkinglotj on Jun 25, 2010 10:17 AM PDT reply actions

Nice call

That wouldn’t be a bad deal for either side. I like the fact that you called it a precursor, since Gomes can’t actually be “packaged” until ummmmm December 15? Is that right?

by Rodney Gustafson on Jun 25, 2010 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions

My understanding is he can't be traded with another player until Dec 15.

I believe he can be traded immediately in a player for player trade.

by parkinglotj on Jun 25, 2010 6:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Somehow I can see the Hornets saying "take Darius and later we'll ship you CP3 in a separate deal"...

then later forgetting to send CP3.

by 52therim on Jun 25, 2010 11:15 AM PDT reply actions

After we trade Rudy we'll have room for

Kyle Korver, Mike Miller or JJ Reddick. My pick would be Korver, he is getting paid about $4mil less than Mike Miller and has about the same 3pt % shooting and he would make a better fit with the team

by r.johnsonmill on Jun 25, 2010 1:32 PM PDT reply actions