NBA Trade Rumors: Can the Phoenix Suns Move Up to Draft Derrick Williams?
The Phoenix Suns currently own the rights to the No. 13 pick in this year's NBA draft. Many have speculated that they'll take Jimmer Fredette if he's available, but now it seems they may have eyes for a bigger prize.
Jonathan Givony, who runs DraftExpress, recently tweeted, "Sources say Washington & Phoenix have been the most active teams trying to trade up for Derrick Williams. T'Wolves want a 'veteran big man."
If it's all about getting that big man for Minnesota, then the Suns probably have a better shot at the pick. 27-year old Marcin Gortat has spent the majority of his career as Dwight Howard's backup. He showed he can really produce after the Suns acquired him.
He averaged 13 points and nine rebounds in less than 30 minutes a game for Phoenix last season. The "Polish Hammer" could be the kind of veteran big man that Minnesota would want. The T'Wolves would have to give up a player as well to make the deal work under current salary cap rules.
Recent rumors are suggesting that the Suns may be interested in Minnesota's Jonny Flynn, who has shown up in his fair share of trade chatter over the last several months.
The actual trade between Phoenix and Minnesota would be Marcin Gortat and the No. 13 pick for Jonny Flynn and the No. 2 pick.
If the Suns landed Flynn, it would almost certainly increase the chances of seeing Steve Nash dealt this offseason as well. The team needs to kick start a rebuilding, and Nash could bring them some good pieces for that.
For Minnesota, Gortat would be an enormous upgrade over their current starting center--Darko Milicic. They could also still grab a shooting guard with Phoenix's No. 13 pick, and be in decent shape for next year with Ricky Rubio, Michael Beasley and Kevin Love already in place.
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