ESPN Insider rumors/speculation

[wichmae]

The Suns' predicament
Before the season started, ESPN's own John Hollinger pegged Phoenix to finish No. 15 in the Western Conference in 2012-13. That's dead last to you and me.

So it doesn't take a team of experts to tell you that this Suns' team simply don't have the look of a contender. Thus, we have to believe the Suns' brass might have to decide whether dealing Gortat, whose value is at an all-time high, could be the only way this team improves.

It's not that simple, though. Gortat is one of the team's best players, he plays a premium position, and he's one of the league's best bargains -- owed $7,258,960 this season and $7,727,280 in 2013-14.

The Suns certainly don't have to trade him, but if they keep him they'll have to do so with the idea that they'll be able to re-sign him to a long-term deal, however expensive it might be. Keep in mind what Roy Hibbert (four-years, $58 million) and JaVale McGee (four-years, $44 million) signed for as restricted free agents this past offseason.

That said, here are five possible trade partners with Phoenix for Gortat:

Milwaukee Bucks | Gortat and Kendall Marshall for Tobias Harris, John Henson and Drew Gooden

Center is the one glaring weakness for Scott Skiles' team, which is why Gortat would make a lot of sense in Milwaukee. He'd provide an immediate upgrade over Samuel Dalembert, Larry Sanders and Joel Przybilla and relieve some pressure off of Ersan Ilyasova in the frontcourt as well.

Phoenix already has Luis Scola and Michael Beasley signed for the next three seasons, so there isn't a huge need for more forwards on the roster, but the opportunity to added a pair of talented young players like Tobias Harris and John Henson would be too much to pass up, even if it means taking on Drew Gooden's salary through 2014-15.

[Ill-yasova]

The Suns' predicament
Before the season started, ESPN's own John Hollinger pegged Phoenix to finish No. 15 in the Western Conference in 2012-13. That's dead last to you and me.

So it doesn't take a team of experts to tell you that this Suns' team simply don't have the look of a contender. Thus, we have to believe the Suns' brass might have to decide whether dealing Gortat, whose value is at an all-time high, could be the only way this team improves.

It's not that simple, though. Gortat is one of the team's best players, he plays a premium position, and he's one of the league's best bargains -- owed $7,258,960 this season and $7,727,280 in 2013-14.

The Suns certainly don't have to trade him, but if they keep him they'll have to do so with the idea that they'll be able to re-sign him to a long-term deal, however expensive it might be. Keep in mind what Roy Hibbert (four-years, $58 million) and JaVale McGee (four-years, $44 million) signed for as restricted free agents this past offseason.

That said, here are five possible trade partners with Phoenix for Gortat:

Milwaukee Bucks | Gortat and Kendall Marshall for Tobias Harris, John Henson and Drew Gooden

Center is the one glaring weakness for Scott Skiles' team, which is why Gortat would make a lot of sense in Milwaukee. He'd provide an immediate upgrade over Samuel Dalembert, Larry Sanders and Joel Przybilla and relieve some pressure off of Ersan Ilyasova in the frontcourt as well.

Phoenix already has Luis Scola and Michael Beasley signed for the next three seasons, so there isn't a huge need for more forwards on the roster, but the opportunity to added a pair of talented young players like Tobias Harris and John Henson would be too much to pass up, even if it means taking on Drew Gooden's salary through 2014-15.

No. No. No. Since when do we have a weakness at center?

[Baddy Chuck]

I think paul would commit suicide.

[LUKE23]

I would maim people if we made that trade.

[Newz]

I like Gortat and Kendall Marshall, but I wouldn't do this trade.

[LittleRooster]

No thanks

[wichmae]

I probably wouldnt do it either but some of you are really undervaluing how good Gortat is.

[paul]

I think paul would commit suicide.

Lulz, yeah that might do me in.

Gortat's value will be less than half what it was at the start of this season by the start of next season. He's down to 11/10 now at a career low from the field and sinking like a stone. He's still blocking 3 shots a game which is great but that's sinking quickly as well. Without Nash gifting him 8 points a game he's a decent enough 9/10 kind of guy who plays OK D, but he'll be 29 before the season ends and Sanders could very well be the better player between the 2 by the time the next season starts.

This trade would be idiotic.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

No.

[LUKE23]

I probably wouldnt do it either but some of you are really undervaluing how good Gortat is.

Has nothing to do with that though, has to do with staying with the direction of the team and developing the youth.

Also, Kendall Marshall stinks.

[MikeIsGood]

I like Gortat and Kendall Marshall, but I wouldn't do this trade.

This, but much more strongly against it. More like...

I like Gortat and Kendall Marshall, but there is no way in hell I would do this trade

[Newz]

I probably wouldnt do it either but some of you are really undervaluing how good Gortat is.

I like it's actually pretty close value wise, especially since we get to dump Gooden.

My thing is that I just wouldn't be giving up young players in our position. Especially young players with the talent that Tobes (guy who can be a legit 20 PPG scorer) and Henson (looks to have a decent touch offensively and could potentially be a great defender) have.

[paul]

It's going to be fascinating to see how Gortat is viewed after he puts up something around 10/9 with a .520 ish TS% on one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA this season - whether his rating goes back to 'excellent backup' or someone is still willing to pay him huge coin on his next deal.

[paulpressey25]

This tells me that Hollinger doesn't watch any of our games.

We don't have Bogut so the media figures that ourz centerz positionz must be the sucks.....

Uh John, crunch some of your numbers in the Scantron 4000 and you'd probably figure out that our center position is out producing the Suns center position.

[CanadaBucks]

Not that the Suns would but do people change their minds if you change one of Harris/Henson for Dally and maybe our 1st??