Marcin Gortat reportedly turned down an extension offer from the Suns during the offseason, but that doesn't mean he's eager to get out of Phoenix. Gortat told Jessica Camerato of CSNNE.com that, despite the team's struggles, he's not necessarily hoping to be traded in the next six weeks.
"Basically I just don't want to feel like a loser and escape," Gortat said. "The team needs you and then all of a sudden you escape because you said you wanted to be traded or you asked for a trade? It's not like that. If someone's going to decide to trade me, it is a business. I'll understand that. But now I'm on the Phoenix Suns and I'm going to help."
Earlier in the season, Gortat expressed some frustration with the Suns' style of play and his lack of involvement in the offense. So far in 2012/13, Gortat's 11.6 PPG, 8.9 RPG, and 17.3 PER are all below last year's rates (15.4 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 21.2 PER). Additionally, the Suns are off to a 12-25 start, just one game out of the Western Conference cellar. Still, the 28-year-old big man feels attached to the club, as he told Camerato.
"Right now I feel like it's hard to leave this sinking boat, you know what I mean, just go to a different team and escape from everything," Gortat said. "I've never escaped in my entire life from anything like that. I never took any shortcuts. Basically I'm just going to try to play and help my team as much as I can."
Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio reported earlier this week that the Suns have no untouchable players, and will be very open to discussing trades in advance of the February 21st deadline. The Celtics have been mentioned as one possible suitor for Gortat, assuming the Suns make him available.