According to the Huffington Post, the San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns are in serious talks to send center Marcin Gortat to the Alamo City in exchange for Tiago Splitter or Boris Diaw.
Source: Spurs-Suns deal 4 Gortat would either be n a Splitter sign-and-trade or Diaw/filler. Suns get at least a 2014 1st rounder either way
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) July 1, 2013
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The Spurs are currently trying to lock Splitter in a new contract and have made him an offer. However, if the two sides are far apart, then getting a player like Gortat over seeing Tiago walk (through a team matching the Spurs recent offer to Tiago) with the team left empty handed, would be the better choice.
Gortat is a 6-year NBA player and averaged 11 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and shot 52% from the field last season with the Suns.
Gortat would be a slight upgrade over Splitter with Marcin proving much more physicality in the paint. Also, he has one contract season left (7.7 million) heading into next season which will give the Spurs more cap flexibility.
However, would giving up Diaw be a bit too much for Gortat? Diaw provided much needed offensive and defensive punch last season. He is versatile and is one of the better passing big men in the league. He can a lot more than Splitter.
Splitter did improve considerably in the regular season. He upped his stats, but in the postseason, he fizzled out and drew the ire of Spurs fans.
Weigh in Spurs fans? Thoughts on this rumored deal? Are you OK with seeing Splitter or Diaw leave to the Suns?
