Chapter 350: Trading Gortat

The Suns announced that they were looking to trade Gortat and Frye.

Most people weren't surprised, even though Gortat and Frye had become marginalized. Gortat still played around 10 minutes per game, and his efficiency rating ranked third on the team. As for Frye, he had proven himself after receiving significant playing time in recent games.

These two players still had considerable trade value.

As soon as the news broke, seven or eight teams immediately contacted Tian Zhen, expressing their interest in Gortat and Frye.

Among them was the Eastern Conference's top-ranked team, the Heat. Spoelstra needed these two players to strengthen the Heat's bench, and since Gortat and Frye were Suns players, they should also be familiar with the Suns' tactics and style of play.

Unfortunately, the Heat couldn't offer suitable trade assets.

Tian Zhen directly asked for Chris Paul, and if he could trade for Paul, Tian Zhen was even willing to add Tucker to Gortat and Frye. However, Paul was untouchable, so the Heat had no choice but to give up.

...

Many teams were interested in Gortat and Frye.

Whether a trade could be completed depended on two factors: the offers from other teams and Gortat and Frye's willingness to join those teams.

The teammates also felt that Gortat and Frye might leave for other teams after the All-Star break.

So, for the game against the Thunder, Gentry arranged for Frye and Gortat to start.

The Thunder's general manager had also contacted Tian Zhen, offering Perkins and Fisher in the trade. However, the Suns didn't need these two players.

Wade Dong didn't have a good impression of Fisher, in particular.

Starting Lineups for the game:

Suns: Wade Dong, Durant, Curry, Frye, Gortat.

Thunder: Westbrook, Ibaka, Collison, Jones, Perkins.

Many teams were paying attention to this game, and if Frye and Gortat performed well, they would be more determined to trade for them.

"Durant, this is your home!"

"Durant, this is your home!"

"Durant, this is your home!"

When Durant returned to Oklahoma City for the first time after leaving, the home crowd booed him, and this incident became a hot topic in basketball news. This time, the Thunder came to the US Airways Center, and the fans held up banners with this slogan, cheering for Durant.

Before the game, Westbrook still didn't greet Durant, indicating that their relationship wouldn't improve anytime soon.

The game was about to begin...

Durant pulled Gortat to the center circle, signaling that Gortat would take the jump ball for this game.

This might be Gortat's last jump ball as a Suns player.

"Beep!!!"

As the referee's whistle sounded, the game began.

Gortat jumped with all his might, tipping the ball to Durant. Durant received the ball and waited for five seconds in place until the home crowd's applause ended before passing it to Wade Dong.

"Wow, you've got some emotional intelligence, Little Genius."

Wade Dong teased as he dribbled into the frontcourt.

Curry and Durant spread out to the perimeter, and Wade Dong lobbed the ball to Gortat. Gortat, facing Perkins' defense in the paint, made a spin move, followed by a pump fake, but Perkins didn't budge.

Gortat spun again and made another pump fake, faking out Perkins!

This was a classic Dream Shake, and after faking out Perkins, Gortat easily scored a layup.

Score: 2-0!!!

Although his playing time had been limited this season, Gortat's Dream Shake had become more refined. Big Brother Dong had once told him that his offensive talent was limited, so mastering one skill was enough, and Gortat had put a lot of effort into perfecting the Dream Shake.

Thunder's offense.

Westbrook dribbled into the frontcourt and, facing Durant's defense, made a crossover and blew past Durant, driving to the basket.

From two steps away from the basket, Westbrook jumped with all his might, extending his long arms for a powerful dunk.

"Damn!"

Gortat, standing under the basket, jumped and swatted the ball with his big hand.

This was a battle of strength!

"Clang!"

Gortat blocked Westbrook's dunk attempt.

The referee didn't blow the whistle, and Wade Dong got the ball, pushing the ball on a fast break.

"DPOY!"

"DPOY!"

"DPOY!"

Wade Dong had already scored the layup, but the chants of 'DPOY' continued.

Brooks watched this scene and sighed inwardly. Gentry was a very lucky coach, not just because he had a player like Wade Dong, but because every Suns player had their moments to shine.

It was genuinely challenging to defeat such a team.

The Thunder inbounded the ball, and Westbrook dribbled into the frontcourt before passing to Collison.

Collison missed a mid-range shot, and Gortat grabbed the defensive rebound, passing the ball to Wade Dong. Wade Dong dribbled into the frontcourt and passed to Curry.

Curry received the ball and passed it back to Wade Dong, who was in mid-range.

Wade Dong caught the ball and turned for a jump shot.

"Swoosh!!!"

The ball swished through the net, and Collison's defense couldn't contain Wade Dong.

Score: 6-0!!!

This start left the Thunder struggling to cope.

...

With six minutes left in the first quarter, the score was 21-8!

The Thunder trailed by 13 points.

Unable to score on offense and unable to defend, this was the Thunder's reality in this game.

Gortat and Frye played like they had been injected with adrenaline.

The Suns' 21 points included 7 from Gortat and 6 from Frye. Besides these two, Wade Dong, Durant, and Curry had only scored 8 points combined.

"Does anyone else want to play?"

Gentry turned to the bench and asked.

Carter said, "I think if these five aren't tired, they can keep playing like this. Anyway, the Thunder can't beat us."

"We agree."

The other players nodded in agreement.

"Yeah..."

Gentry unscrewed his thermos and took a sip of tea, saying, "Gortat and Frye are playing like this because they know they have limited time left with the Suns."

Gentry was still sitting on the bench, chatting with the players.

Tian Zhen emerged from the players' tunnel and approached Gentry, whispering a few words to him.

Gentry nodded and said to the bench players, "Thompson and Whiteside, you two go and sub in for Gortat and Frye."

Thompson looked at Tian Zhen and asked, "Manager Tian, have you found a new team for Gortat and Frye?"

"Yes."

Tian Zhen nodded, "But we still need to hear their opinions."