By: Dustin Chapman

“I like this team,” Ryan Gomes tells HOOPSWORLD. “It’s a nice, young team and we’ve been making strides the past two months. It’ll be good to have a bunch of us here to see how this thing can play out two or three years from now. We have to take it in stride and take it day by day. You can’t worry about tomorrow too much because you have to perform for today and that’s how I’m trying to do it right here, right now and I think that’s what we’re all trying to do.”

The Minnesota Timberwolves will enter the summer of 2008 with a plethora of questions about the additions and subtractions to the current roster, and one of the concerns regards the future of Ryan Gomes. The third-year combo forward was involved in last June’s blockbuster that sent Kevin Garnett to Boston, and Timberwolves fans couldn’t have been happier with his play.

This past season, his first with Minnesota, the former Providence star set career highs scoring (12.6 PPG), rebounding (5.8 RPG), assists (1.8 APG), steals (0.8 SPG), free throw percentage (83%), and also managed to extend his range. His versatility allowed head coach Randy Wittman to use him in both big and small lineups, as Gomes has the ability to make hustle plays at the four-position and is just as comfortable playing more of a perimeter game on the wing.

Gomes may not be a star, but he is one of those “glue guys” that any coach in the league would love to have on their team. He will never complain about minutes, touches, or starts; he’ll do his best at whatever role he is asked to play. In addition, he’s one of the truly genuine people around the league. As far as professionalism, work ethic, and community work is concerned, Gomes may be one of the league’s most positive influences.

The question, however, remains about his future in Minnesota. His rookie contract has expired, and he may be in position to cash in this summer. Gomes is a player who likely commends mid-level caliber dollars, and is probable to seek a home for three to four years. Whether he ends up staying in Minnesota is uncertain, but it is widely expected that the organization will make a strong push in order to make it happen.

A cause for concern could be his fit. If the Wolves luckily wind up winning the lottery, and choose to go with Kansas State sensation Michael Beasley, Gomes’ role would instantly become severely diminished. Assuming Kevin McHale fills the hole at the center position, Gomes likely would not fit in the starting lineup, and would have to share forward minutes with both Beasley and Al Jefferson. If Beasley ends up in the lap of the Minnesota Timberwolves, it is only natural for Gomes to pursue more tasteful options.

Should Minnesota end up with a draft pick in the three to seven range, however, Gomes’ position in Randy Wittman’s rotation would be unlikely to alter. In which case, he and his agent’s interest level might take an extra leap in a positive direction.

Regardless of what happens on June 26, you’d better bet your bottom dollar that Kevin McHale will be in heavy negotiation with this 25-year-old fan favorite. The overall play of the Timberwolves is in a word, erratic, but Ryan Gomes is a pure representation of stability both on and off the court.

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