Suns look to trade up to #2 for Williams

[SweetD]

Think Minny would be willing to part with Wesley Johnson if they stay @ 2 and pick Williams? I know they moved Johnson to the 2 but he is better fit as a SF.

 

[Forrestham]

Gortat was playing as a top 5 center. Too bad the rest of the team was not. He likes it here and is still fairly young. There are not guarantees for anyone in the draft. A full season with the Suns I think Gortat could be an all star. Can we use Carter's contract and take a bad contract to move up in the draft? I would rather do that than be stuck with Lopez as starting center. Gortat played hard every game and cherished getting out of Dwight Howards shadow

 

[Covert Rain]

dude did you watch any of the tourney? williams was one of the best or if not the best player in that tournament. he was absolutely lethal.

How many times have we seen a guy tear it up in college or the tourney only for his game not to translate? I am not saying that happens to Williams but it happens all the time.

 

[slinslin]

I've read that Toronto is also trying for the #2 pick. If they are willing to give Bargnani then this whole debate is pointless. Minesotta will take Bargnani over Gortat for sure.

Even if that is not the case, I'd be reluctant to trade Gortat. This whole draft is a bigger role on the dice than usual, and chances to get a surprise future starting NBA player anywhere in the first round are kind of the same as the chances that Williams will be an all-star. Williams is a lesser gamble of course, but at the price of Gortat? Gortat is a legit center, and on top of that, he likes playing here and brings extra motivation to a team that desperately needs it.

Gortat is all about making himself and the team as a whole better. And that's the kind of player I'd like to have on any team.

Bargnani is horrible.

 

[AzStevenCal]

How many times have we seen a guy tear it up in college or the tourney only for his game not to translate? I am not saying that happens to Williams but it happens all the time.

You're right, it happens quite often. I'm really torn on Williams (not that I think he'll be anywhere near a bust). I really like watching the guy play and a part of me would love to see us find a way to take the gamble on him but not if it costs us the only truly valuable piece we possess (Gortat).

Steve

 

[mojorizen7]

Actually the UofA has produced some pretty solid NBA lottery talent over the last 10-15 years or so.
A.Iguodala
R.Jefferson
J.Terry
C.Frye
M.Bibby
B.Williams
D.Stoudemire
S.Elliot

There have been very few lottery "busts" coming out of Tucson. Chances are Williams becomes a factor in this league.

FWIW

 

[Divide Et Impera]

I think Williams could certainly be a factor in this league, but he's not a game changer. Particularly on the Suns who would literally convince him to play the 4. This is the WRONG team for him until this organization changes its basketball ethic. Until the Suns decide that running a lineup of 1-2-2-3-4 doesn't work, we don't need to draft a tweener who's tendencies are small, but the Suns want big....

 

[Town Drunk]

The Suns have offered Marcin Gortat plus the No. 13 pick for the Wolves' No. 2 pick, according to ESPN's Chad Ford.
The Wolves have called just about every team in the league, so the rumors are running rampant. All we can really gather is that they don't really want Derrick Williams. Gortat emerged as a true difference-maker at the center spot for the Suns last year, so it's a little surprising to hear his name on the table.
Related: Timberwolves, Derrick Williams
Source: ESPN.com
Jun 21, 2:20 PM

 

[carey]

Actually the UofA has produced some pretty solid NBA lottery talent over the last 10-15 years or so.
A.Iguodala
R.Jefferson
J.Terry
C.Frye
M.Bibby
B.Williams
D.Stoudemire
S.Elliot

There have been very few lottery "busts" coming out of Tucson. Chances are Williams becomes a factor in this league.

FWIW

You forgot the Kerr-meister! And I firmly believe Michael Dickerson was going to be a stud before his injury. Also left off Arenas and... Tom Tolbert!

 

[AzStevenCal]

The Suns have offered Marcin Gortat plus the No. 13 pick for the Wolves' No. 2 pick, according to ESPN's Chad Ford.
The Wolves have called just about every team in the league, so the rumors are running rampant. All we can really gather is that they don't really want Derrick Williams. Gortat emerged as a true difference-maker at the center spot for the Suns last year, so it's a little surprising to hear his name on the table.
Related: Timberwolves, Derrick Williams
Source: ESPN.com
Jun 21, 2:20 PM

I really hope that's a bad or at least incomplete rumor. We've waited for a solid center for far too long to package him with a lottery pick and get a tweener in return. Once you get past Lebron and Durant, I'm not sure there's a small forward in the league that I'd trade Gortat and the 13 pick for and Derrick is still unproven. I'd probably trade Marcin straight up for the number 2 pick but even that's a risky move.

Steve

 

[leclerc]

I think we'll get better with:
Lopez - Frye - Williams - Duds - Nash

than:
Gortat - Frye - #13 - Duds - Nash (#13 being SG or PF).

so let's get it done. But Lopez better be fully healed from the back injury and return to his top form... although that is unlikely... so we're screwed either way. Glad it's not my call!

Marcin for #2 is more like it...

 

[Superbone]

I really hope that's a bad or at least incomplete rumor. We've waited for a solid center for far too long to package him with a lottery pick and get a tweener in return. Once you get past Lebron and Durant, I'm not sure there's a small forward in the league that I'd trade Gortat and the 13 pick for and Derrick is still unproven. I'd probably trade Marcin straight up for the number 2 pick but even that's a risky move.

Steve

Well, it contradicts what Coro reported which is that Gortat has been assured he's not going anywhere.

 

[Mainstreet]

I really hope that's a bad or at least incomplete rumor. We've waited for a solid center for far too long to package him with a lottery pick and get a tweener in return. Once you get past Lebron and Durant, I'm not sure there's a small forward in the league that I'd trade Gortat and the 13 pick for and Derrick is still unproven. I'd probably trade Marcin straight up for the number 2 pick but even that's a risky move.

Steve

This is so true. The Suns would be better off keeping Gortat and hope they get lucky at #13. Also if the Suns want to trade Gortat, I'm sure they can get a better trade package from another team. I do not have much hope for Lopez at center and the Suns have been trying to trade him for some time which says a lot.

 

[desertdawg]

Well, it contradicts what Coro reported which is that Gortat has been assured he's not going anywhere.

Nobody wants to hear that (the truth), or they just choose not too. Gortat isn't going anywhere and we aren't getting Williams but folks just don't get it. I am stoked we have Marcin and I'm sooo glad the Suns feel the same way.

Gortat's talent and contract make him a no brainer. I also like Williams, who amongst us wouldn't want him to be a Phx Sun? But then reality and common sense kick in, it won't happen but nobody wants to hear that.

The Polish Machine rules! All you haters and traders (not you superbone) will be on his jock this year, swearing how you've always known it was good to keep him here. Blah!

 

[Griffin]

The Suns have offered Marcin Gortat plus the No. 13 pick for the Wolves' No. 2 pick, according to ESPN's Chad Ford.
The Wolves have called just about every team in the league, so the rumors are running rampant. All we can really gather is that they don't really want Derrick Williams. Gortat emerged as a true difference-maker at the center spot for the Suns last year, so it's a little surprising to hear his name on the table.
Related: Timberwolves, Derrick Williams
Source: ESPN.com
Jun 21, 2:20 PM

I cannot find this anywhere on ESPN or on Ford's blog or twitter. Can you provide a link?

I do see a report that Hibbert was being offered by the Pacers, but Bird shut down those rumors saying he never made such an offer. So it's quite possible the Gorat rumors are also wrong. It seems perhaps the TWolves are very desperate to trade the pick that they may be starting rumors themselves to get teams to make better offers. Wizards also refused to part with JaVale McGee. TWolves have also asked for Bynum from the Lakers for the #2 pick.

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/30546/latest-draft-buzz-kings-no-7-for-felton
http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/214235/Wolves_Offer_No_2_Pick_To_Lakers_For_Bynum

 

[az jam]

I cannot find this anywhere on ESPN or on Ford's blog or twitter. Can you provide a link?

I do see a report that Hibbert was being offered by the Pacers, but Bird shut down those rumors saying he never made such an offer. So it's quite possible the Gorat rumors are also wrong. It seems perhaps the TWolves are very desperate to trade the pick that they may be starting rumors themselves to get teams to make better offers. Wizards also refused to part with JaVale McGee. TWolves have also asked for Bynum from the Lakers for the #2 pick.

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/30546/latest-draft-buzz-kings-no-7-for-felton
http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/214235/Wolves_Offer_No_2_Pick_To_Lakers_For_Bynum

Chad Ford has it on ESPN Rumors which is the ESPN Insider service. I don't think we are allowed to post it here. He says that Gorat & the Suns #13 are so far the best offer the TWolves have for the #2 pick. Doesn't really mean anything as rumors are just rumors.

 

[Griffin]

For what it's worth, the Suns are denying Gortat trade rumors:

Marcin Gortat shouldn't hand in his t-shirts and shorts for parkas and show boots just yet. Despite trade rumors that suggest the Phoenix Suns are looking to deal their center and the No. 13 pick to Minnesota for the No. 2 pick and Nikola Pekovic, the team's front office sounds like they don't want to part with their big man.

"It's speculation," Suns general manager Lance Blanks said. "It's obviously unfounded speculation. That's part of the business. We're going to build the best team we can. We love Marcin Gortat and hope he's part of our core going forward for a long time."

The comment could be the Suns way of showing their poker face to the rest of the league and their fans, but we'll take Blanks at his word. It seems to make sense that if they aren't satisfied with Robin Lopez's play, they'd want to keep Gortat in the fold (that or they'd run an all small forward lineup out there if both were dealt).

That doesn't mean the Suns won't look to make a move on or before Thursday's draft. It also doesn't mean that move couldn't come with the Timberwolves or anyone else for that matter.

"Lon's made a lot of calls and had a lot of calls. I've had some calls," Blanks said. "I have no idea [on a trade]. It just depends on what the scenario might be at the time it happens."

Just don't expect it to involve Gortat. That is if you believe what any general manager around the NBA says this time of year.

http://arizonasports.com/category/suns-articles/20110621/Suns-call-Gortat-trade-rumors-unfounded/

 

[leclerc]

Fine by me. I love Marcin also. I want us to get better fast and #2 could do that, best rook to be excited about since STAT. But giving up Gortat, and more importantly going back to small ball, is certainly a hefty price to pay. Fingers crossed someone good drops and we get another pick by trading one of our wings (Warrick, Pietrus).

 

[Covert Rain]

Good. Looks like Gortat isn't going anywhere.

 

[Lefty]

Nash to Minnesota?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2011/news/story?id=6690475

 

[jagu]

For what it's worth, the Suns are denying Gortat trade rumors:

http://arizonasports.com/category/suns-articles/20110621/Suns-call-Gortat-trade-rumors-unfounded/

A part of Slinslin just died. +15

 

[jagu]

Nash to Minnesota?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2011/news/story?id=6690475

Nash for Beasley and the #2? I'd do that in a heartbeat.

 

[JS22]

No way do you trade Gortat for the #2. The Suns have been searching for a decent center for what seems like 30 years. They finally get one and people want to trade him for Williams? I like Williams. He had a great tournament run. But he is another 6'8 tweener. (Who would rather play SF.) Gortat can give you 15/10 with top-notch defense night in and night out. He's in his prime and was only getting better as the season progressed. You don't give that up for potential.

 

[The Commish]

Nash for Beasley and the #2? I'd do that in a heartbeat.

Maybe, but wouldn't Williams and Beasley be semi-redundant? Not saying I wouldn't do it, but not sure it makes us that much better. Wonder if they would include Flynn for 20cents on the dollar?

FWIW I think this is just ESPN taking a blind rumor and running with it. They even said that talks didn't go anywhere then redirected to the Gortat/#13 rumor.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Nash for Beasley and the #2? I'd do that in a heartbeat.

screw beasley... Nash for the #2 straight up and i'd be beyond happy. we'd be TERRIBLE this year, but probably have a super high pick in what could be a monster draft next year... maybe grab Sullinger at that point and with a young-front court of Williams, Sullinger, Gortat, it might be enough young exciting pieces to lure a Deron Williams or Chris Paul, just like we did Nash back in 2004... which would turn us into a young contending team IMMEDIATELY. Not to mention it would be a young DEFENSIVE team as well, not to mention the potential for great rebounding.

ah... a man can dream, can't he?