Why the Chicago Bulls Need Phoenix Suns' Marcin Gortat

The Chicago Bulls should consider making a move before the trade deadline, and one player they need to pursue is Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat.

There’s a possibility that Phoenix would be interested in dealing Gortat this season since he supposedly turned down a contract extension from the team in October.

Plus, earlier this year, he reportedly voiced his frustration about his role on the team.

If you’re unfamiliar with Gortat—who isn’t exactly as well-known as LeBron James or Kobe Bryant—here’s a video of his highlights.  

Gortat would be a fantastic addition to the Bulls lineup. The “Polish Hammer” is a superb defender, which would surely please Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau. You don’t have to be the NBA’s biggest fan to know how Thibodeau feels about defense—he loves it. 

The Bulls are playing great D this season as usual, owning a defensive rating of 100.2 and holding opponents to just 90.3 points per game. The addition of Gortat would only make the team better.

Why would the Bulls go after Gortat when they already have one of the game’s top centers in Joakim Noah? It’s simple, the team could start Gortat in the middle and slide Noah over to power forward, which might be his more natural position.  

Back in 2001, the Bulls tried to assemble the league’s next great “Twin Towers” duo, acquiring Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler via the draft. Let’s just say that experiment didn’t work out too well.         

However, Gortat and Noah could form a great frontcourt combo. No, they wouldn’t be the next Hakeem Olajuwon/Ralph Sampson or David Robinson/Tim Duncan, but a productive duo nonetheless.    

With Gortat in the picture, the Bulls would eventually sport one of the leagues best starting fives once Derrick Rose returns (knee injury). Chicago could go with Rose and Richard Hamilton/Marco Belinelli in the backcourt added to a strong defensive frontline of Luol Deng, Noah and Gortat.     

Gortat would help the Bulls out immensely in the shot-blocking department. The sixth-year pro is currently averaging a stellar 2.1 blocks per contest, which ranks ninth in the league.

Earlier this season, Gortat swatted a career-high seven shots in a game against the
Charlotte Bobcats. Here’s a video clip of that spectacular performance.

Gortat was also 10-of-14 from the field and recorded 23 points and 10 rebounds in that game. 

With the tandem of Gortat and Noah—whose 2.2 blocks per game is seventh-best in the league—down low, opponents would certainly think twice before driving to the hoop, that’s for sure. 

Thus far this season, Gortat is averaging 11 points per game, which is nothing to get too excited about. Don’t assume, though, that the 6’10 big man can’t provide solid scoring. He produced a career-best 15.4 points per game just last season and has several 20-point games under his belt.

Gortat would bring excitement to the United Center due to his crowd-pleasing dunking ability. If you don’t believe that statement, then check out this video of his top dunks.

The Bulls could show interest in Gortat, but what would it take to bring him to the Windy City? Rose is untouchable as is Noah. And it’s doubtful the team would deal Deng, an All-Star last year and the best scorer on the roster not named D-Rose.

Chicago would surely be willing to move Carlos Boozer, who has been a bit of a disappointment since his arrival in Chicago. A deal sending Boozer and Nazr Mohammed to Phoenix in exchange for Gortat and Jared Dudley works financially, according to ESPN’s Trade Machine.     

More than likely, though, the Suns wouldn’t want to take on Boozer’s contract, but stranger things have happened.

You never know, maybe the team was impressed by Boozer’s 28-point, 14 rebound effort against them earlier this year.    

At the end of the day, Bulls fans probably won’t see Gortat in red and black. However, he would be quite the pickup for Thibodeau’s crew.     

Stats used in this article were accurate as of 12-21-12.