Phoenix Suns trade Marcin Gortat for Washington Wizards' Emeka Okafor

Phoenix Suns trade Marcin Gortat to Washington Wizards for Emeka Okafor

January 26, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards center Emeka Okafor (50), Wizards small forward Martell Webster (9), and Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) prepare to rebound the ball in the third quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 86-73. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

The NBA season is just about to tip-off with the regular season set to begin this coming week, and already we’re seeing the first big trade of the 2013-14 season. The Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards are swapping a pair of big men to go along with several other notable players:

Hearing: Suns are trading Marcin Gortat to the Wizards. Okafor on his way to Phoenix. More details to come
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 25, 2013

Proposed deal will send Gortat, Shannon Brown and Kendall Marshall to Wizards and Suns on course to receive Emeka Okafor & at least one pick
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 25, 2013

The big winner from this trade looks like the Wizards, as Gortat’s game is a better fit for their franchise point guard, John Wall, and this deal also gives them a suitable backup PG in Kendall Marshall.

Last year, Gortat averaged 11.1 points to go with 8.5 boards and 1.6 blocks per game. At age 29 and in just his seventh NBA season, he theoretically still has room to grow, while Okafor is clearly past his prime.

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