UPDATE: Coro clarified the rumor on Twitter: “I mentioned All-Star break talk of a Perkins/Lamb/pick-Gortat/Tucker swap. Apparently, that was a league rumor but not actual team talks.”
Via Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic:
Much of the Suns’ trade talk seems to have simmered down as the Thursday 1 p.m. deadline nears, but there is one more possibility.
ESPN.com reported New York’s interest in Jermaine O’Neal and Toronto’s interest in Sebastian Telfair while another source said there was All-Star break talk of Oklahoma City exploring Marcin Gortat and P.J. Tucker for Kendrick Perkins, Jeremy Lamb and a first-round pick.
Perkins is the type of center to fit the new defensively geared culture, although he is limited offensively for a team wanting to post up its big men. Lamb probably would have been the Suns’ draft pick in June had Houston not made a trade to move up two spots and take him in front of Phoenix. The Suns do have $6.4 million of cap room to take on salary in a deal, but it is more likely that the Suns stand pat to protect their two first-round draft picks and salary-cap space, which leaves room to sign a maximum-level free agent.
Just a note: Typically when information like this leaks out – there were discussions at one point – that mostly means the talks didn’t go anywhere and one of the sides is comfortable letting it out. When you trade with OKC, it doesn’t normally happen after there has been leaked information all over the place. It comes together quickly and is done.
But as for the rumored deal: I know some of you are fist-pumping about this deal, but I hate it. Gortat is solid, Tucker is a scrub on a good team. And the Thunder would be giving up a starter, a lottery pick asset, and a first round pick? That feels like way too much. Gortat’s not that good, is he?
We’ll know what the Thunder in store Thursday. But don’t count on this one going down.
I hope the trade goes through, if nothing else Gortat's apathy for playing on a terrible team is causing him to tank his fantasy value.
@Patrick OKC BOOOOOOOOOO
@OBoyIn my other league. It would not help me against you.
Perk out tonight with a sprained knee. Coincidence or is there truth to the rumor?
So after all, weezy is a liar http://www.hiphopdx.com/m/index.php?s=news&id=22984
@Cold-Blooded too bad, I wish he was banned
@f5alcon sho weezy some love man ;)
@f5alcon just ask the one who Delilahed harden in the finlas
@Cold-Blooded I perfer to not get a ton of STIs
D21 posted in another thread that a PHX radio host is saying there is no truth to the Perk for Gortat rumor.
He's also saying that there's no truth to the Suns having interest in Josh Smith, which I find hard to believe.
@OBoy
How would a radio host know anything? not saying they're true
Invisioning a lineup of Gortat and Collison...white man goosebumps.
I can't wait for the trade deadline to pass so I can start reading/posting comments again. The playoffs are more fun when it's about the game not "who we should trade so we think we'll be better" but in reality will probably get worse.
@alvarex I'd rather read trade stuff than, "ZOMG we're finished! We're not even going to get out of the second round!" after losses. The Chicken Little stuff is far more tilting.
@alvarex
THE DRAFT IS NEXT :)
http://dailythunder.com/headlines/thunder-are-increasing-season-ticket-prices-next-season/
@Cold-Blooded
royce on a roll.
@Lost Ones still have more to come
Cutest westbrook photo I've ever seen http://www.vogue.it/en/uomo-vogue/stars/2013/02/russell-westbrook
@Cold-Blooded ummm im just dumbfounded that you used the word "cutest" I can only imagine how that sounds in your Jamaican accent
Not sure the Thunder love Lamb. Before Lamb got injured, PJIII seemed to be slightly ahead of him in a race for playing time. PJIII would get spot minutes once in a blue moon, while Lamb got basically nothing outside of garbage time.
@DXL Our SG rotation is much stronger and Lamb didn't have traning camp with the Thunder like PJ3. Pretty sure Presti was the one who declined that trade offer.
@DXL
I think the thunder loves lamb, martins just ahead of him.
Off topic if anyone cares, The PS4 will be unveiled today
@Lost Ones the details on the new xbox are interesting.
@BallSoHard @Lost
I hope most are fake :(
@Lost Ones any date on when its being released?
@CLthunderfan
going to be some time in november
@CLthunderfan @Lost Ones Late November or December
True but he's been practicing since Jan. 13 and is expected to return
What do you guys think about this trade: http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine/?tradeId=aoloblc
Playing off the PHX rumor with them wanting Lamb and Orlando Gm (Rob Hennigan) taking the Thunder motto about rebuilding under cheap young talent. Plus it gives OKC what we need in rebounding with Vucevic and 2nd unit scoring in Harrington.
@heith not giving up lamb and perkins for just vucevic
@f5alcon @heith vucevic is near to untouchable in orlando
@see-mittens @heith @CLthunderfan @f5alcon
He had 20pts and 29 rebounds against Miami. I don't know if that was the record though
@heith @CLthunderfan @f5alcon didn't he set an orlando record for rebounds in a game?
@CLthunderfan @f5alcon Probably is but given all that young talent they get in return, might just be enough for them to part with him
@heith Harrington hasn't played at all this season and might be done for good.
This is totally about short term memory. If Gortat's last game against OKC had been the 19 point, 15 rebound game he put up in January then there would be way more support for the trade.
Gortat's resume is very, very solid. Terrific offensive player and solid defensively. OKC's #1 offense would become even more dynamic.
Would Miami/SAS/Clips worry about OKC more with Gortat in the fold? Yup. Therefore you do the deal.
@DXL Gortat's season as a whole has been disappointing. They'd worry about OKC more for sure with Gortat around, but the question is whether or not the price is worth it.
@[censored] @DXL I would think some of this depends upon whether or not we are going to be able to resign Martin in the offseason...Martin makes Lamb expendable. If you are going to keep Martin, I see no problem moving Lamb to upgrade at center, but of course I am one of those who thinks Gortat is a pretty big upgrade over Perk.
@[censored] @DXL all it comes down to is what draft pick we are giving up.
@[censored] @DXL
he's stuck on a losing team it should be disappointing.
@DXL
The dude plays for a shitty team, and a intrim coach who obviously has a preference for guard play, and perimeter shooting. I mean the dude took so little shots because he was berly given the ball.
@ElMexiThunder I wouldn't expect Gortat to get the ball more in OKC. We don't even pass to Kmart and he's one of the most efficient scorers in the league.
@DXL
I agree, Daily Thunder have the memory of goldfish
Boo-urns.
This year,
Gortat 24.2 DRB% .553 TS% (lowest of his career) 105 Ortg (lowest of his career his average is 113) 104 DRtg
Perk 19.0 DRB% .511 TS% 99 ORtg 102 DRtg
@CLthunderfan Still not worth trading Lamb.
@Sigmund as long as its not the TOR pick then its worth lamb, We can draft another SG with the same talent as lamb.
@CLthunderfan I know he isn't, what's your point? Martin might walk and players like that aren't cheap as you can see.
@Sigmund lamb is NOT the next MJ get that through your head! lol
@CLthunderfan No we can't.
@CLthunderfan
You gotta consider lowest of his career because of the team he plays with, and the change in staff. His coach isn't really fond of involving who can shoot outside of 15 feet.
@ElMexiThunder yea he is better than perk offensively but I dont think enough people here are giving enough credit to gortat's defensive. Also he had a good year last year but that may have been because of nash.
@CLthunderfan
So there you go sir. I don't understand how people don't see this move would benifet us short term, as well as long term if it all works out.
@ElMexiThunder not seeing your argument as howard, bynum, and gasol are all TRASH!!!!! this year. so of course I would rather have gortat
@CLthunderfan
Well lets see, Perkins is very effective against Howard, Bynum, and Old Centers who have to rely on technique at this point of their career. He is torched by athletic centers like Chandler, and Jordan. He gets out muscled by guys like Pek, Gortat, Camby, and Amir Johnson. He doesn't box out well, Berly Jumps, a complete liability on offense, a below average rebounder. He does decent against guys like Gasol and Hibbert.
Gortat on the other hand, is above average on offense for his position, He's a far better rebounder, he doesn't box out as well but at least he jumps. He can handle the bullnose, and atheltic Centers. WILL get worked over by Howard, Bynum, and Gasol. When will we face those 3 in the playoffs? Who the hell knows, AND is decent in PnR defense.
So you tell me, who would you rather have?
@Lost Ones @ElMexiThunder agree and gortat will rebound and jump better than perk as well.
@CLthunderfan @ElMexiThunder
Gortats solid defensively, he's not going to shut down a center but neither is perkins he will atleast make them work on both ends.
@CLthunderfan
Fond of involving big men who CANT shoot outside of the close range.
@Lost Ones @ElMexiThunder @CLthunderfan that's the big one...
@ElMexiThunder @CLthunderfan
and nash left
@CLthunderfan
I would take gortat in a heartbeat it's not even close