Gortat for Derrick Williams? 10 reasons for pulling the trigger

Jun 20, 2011, 4:33 PM | Updated: 8:33 pm

Arizona Sports

Though it may be difficult to believe sometimes, I am a Phoenix Suns fan. I grew up watching the team and would like nothing more than to see someone wearing purple and orange hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

It is for those reasons why I have been frustrated with the moves they’ve made over the last ~~seven~~ few years. Watching a team that was so close to a title fall short, largely because of self-inflicted wounds, has not been easy to take.

Back in the lottery, the Suns are rumored to be interested in trading up to the No. 2 spot, securing Derrick Williams while parting with Marcin Gortat.

At first glance I agreed with my colleague Espo, who says the team can’t afford to trade Gortat. The move would have the appearance of a classic ‘Bad Suns’ move, a foolish trade that would set the team back. Thinking about it a little more, though, I decided the trade wouldn’t be such a bad idea after all. In fact, I’m all for it.

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The post-Nash era

Whether next season is his last or he plays a couple more years, the Suns should begin the process of finding players who can flourish without Steve Nash. Can Gortat? His offensive game seemed to be based largely on the pick-and-roll; Gortat has time to work on developing a low-post game, but as of now no one can say he'll be able to score without being spoon-fed by Nash.

Robin Lopez is ready to become the center we thought he would

The idea of moving Gortat, the team's starting center, may be tough to stomache until you realize there is a player on the roster who could comfortably slide into that role. Affectionately known as "FroPez" (by me), if Robin Lopez can get healthy and return to form the Suns will be plenty fine at the 5 spot. Just one year ago the former Stanford product had everyone excited about his future; if the Suns believe they can get their explosive big man back then it would, in theory, make Gortat expendable.

The 'wow' factor

Since Amare Stoudemire departed for the bright lights of New York the Suns have lacked a player who could get the fans to rise out of their seats and say 'wow'. Derrick Williams, with an array of highlight-reel dunks, can be that guy. Fans pay to see players like that, a fact that surely is not lost on Robert Sarver.

What is Gortat's ceiling as a full-time starter?

One of the assumptions with Gortat is that he's only scratching the surface of his potential, as he never really started until coming to Phoenix. Averaging nearly 14 points and 11 rebounds per game in that role, it would seem that the sky is the limit for the

The best center the Suns have had? That says more about the Suns than it does Gortat

A common theme seems to be that Gortat is arguably the best center the Suns have ever had. So what? Is he a great player? Will he go down in history as one of the best big men to ever play the game? Doubtful. Sure, he may top the list in Phoenix, but it's not exactly one you'd write home about. Marcin Gortat is a good player - and could maybe even be very good - but the odds of greatness are about as slim as the Suns' title chances for the next season, whenever it is actually played.

Go-to scorer, thy name is D-Will.

The Suns were missing many things last season, the most damaging of which may have been a legitimate scoring threat. Enter Williams. He showed a unique ability to get to the basket at the collegiate level and, maybe even more important, got to the free throw line with uncanny frequency. Having shown three-point range as well, Williams appears to be a guy who will be able to put the ball in the basket as a pro, with the ability to create his own shot.

The Suns had Gortat last year and he wasn't a difference maker...Williams COULD BE

The Suns went 4-7 over their final 11 games, all of which Gortat started. While he played well down the stretch he wasn't exactly able to carry the team to victories then or at any other point in the season. Every team needs good players, of which the Suns have many. Gortat may top the list, but he's not a great player, and that's what wins in the NBA.

Gortat is nice, but people don't pay to see a guy score 12 points and grab 10 rebounds

I like Gortat, he's a great quote and hard-working player who will have a very successful career. Hell, he's probably even good for a double-double most nights while playing solid post defense. That said, people pay to watch scorers put the ball in the bucket, not decent big men grabbing rebounds.

The Suns have small forwards, but how many can we say are scorers?

Grant Hill, Jared Dudley, Josh Childress and Hakim Warrick: all small forwards, all guys who won't score 20+ a night. My colleague Espo is right when he says the last thing the Suns need is another player at that position, but Williams brings a skill-set none of the others can boast.

Being aggressive, showing you want to win

Most people think the Suns are content to sit back and be mediocre (this columnist included). Making a bold, aggressive move for one of the top players in the draft would represent the Suns' willingness to not only identify the guy they want, but do what it takes to get him as well. Is it a risk? Absolutely, but one that could pay off handsomely in the end.

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