D-Goody finally going to Sacto? (Rumor)

[djlofi]

From Sactown Royalty:

Last weekend, Sam Amick kicked off the Brad Miller trade rumors with an assessment of his place on the team, given Spencer Hawes' development and the team's current record.

As noted in the FanPosts, the Chicago Tribune published a light dose of Bulls-Kings rumorage today.

General manager John Paxson confirmed he has been active in trade talks. "We've had a lot of conversation, trying to find things that fit," Paxson told media before the game. It's known the Bulls have had talks with the Kings, though it's unclear who on that roster interests the Bulls. Former Bull Brad Miller is available. ... Gooden's expiring contract and solid averages that are near a double-double could attract interest.

Potential matches are being discussed in the above-linked FanPost, but it seems clear to me there's one easy swap that fulfills both team's goals: Miller for Drew Gooden and Tyrus Thomas.

The Kings will not be taking extra salary for 2009-10, 2010-11 or 2011-12 just to lose Miller, whose contract expires in 2010. Thomas isn't valuable enough on the market for Sacramento to become the salary loser here.

At the same time, he's about the best available "promising forward" out there -- really, a smart GM wouldn't have him on the block right now because you're not going to get fair value. But could Thomas' value sit high enough for Chicago to try to lose some '09-10 salary of its own, a la Larry Hughes instead of Gooden? I don't think so. Chicago can get under the cap for the summer of 2010. But by taking back Miller, the team further ensures there's no chance to trim enough payroll to be under in the summer of 2009. For salary matters, Gooden (expires '09) vs. Hughes (expires '10) really doesn't matter for Chicago. With Vinny Del Negro employing a lot of smallball (with Andres Nocioni and Luol Deng playing some power forward), the forward glut is more obvious than the vaunted overcrowding in the backcourt. (Remember, Kirk Hinrich is out until February.)

Chicago shouldn't do this deal -- Thomas is much more valuable than an 18-month Miller rental. But from my vantage point, it looks plausible. And of course, it'd be a steal for the Kings.

Looks like Drew may finally get to go to Cali and get hyphy with K-Mart and the Kings, but I don't know why Chicago does this deal. Maybe a third party needs to get involved...

Do it.

Kind of related to this post is my love/hate feeling with Tyrus Thomas. His game intrigues me (the young fella has the ability to put up 20 pts and 20 rebs on any night, sprinkled in with a few blocks), but the fact that he can't put it together really burns me (Ty sucked hard on my fantasy team ). I think he just needs a change of scenery to get away from the dysfunctional mess in Chi-City to really grow.