According to a story via ESPN, the Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns, two teams who are moving in different directions (or at least that’s the plan), have made an interesting trade right before the commencement of the 2013/14 NBA season.
The trade sends Gortat and guardsShannon Brown, Malcolm Lee andKendall Marshall to the Wizards for the expiring contract of veteran big manEmeka Okafor and a protected 2014 first-round pick (to No. 12).
The 6-foot-11 Gortat, 29, averaged 11.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per game last season for the Suns.
With Okafor suffering from a herniated disk in his neck which threatens to jeopardize his season and that of the playoff-aspiring Wizards, a move had to be made.
Gortat should form a more productive frontcourt partnership with Nene than Okafor managed to during his lone season with the Wizards.
The Suns could potentially select four players in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft which is deemed to be very deep in talent. Brown, Lee, and Marshall are going to be waived according to reports.