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Thunder trade rumors: Kendrick Perkins, Jeremy Lamb for Phoenix Suns Marcin Gortat being shot down

With the Thunder in another serious run before the post-season, the team may look to make a major move before the deadline.

By Nate Timmons
Richard Rowe-US PRESSWIRE

The rumors of a mega-deal between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns is being shot down by Arizona reporters, per Welcome to Loud City. The details of the rumor had the Thunder acquiring center Marcin Gortat and forward P.J. Tucker and sending center Kendrick Perkins, forward Jeremy Lamb and a first-round pick to the Suns, per Kurt Helin of NBC's Pro Basketball Talk.

Here is the tweet from John Gambadoro of Sports 620 KTAR in Phoenix:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>No truth to rumor of Gortat and Tucker to OKC for Perkins, Lamb and a first......not going to happen</p>&mdash; John Gambadoro (@Gambo620) <a href="https://twitter.com/Gambo620/status/304280135090192385">February 20, 2013</a></blockquote>

<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Gortat is averaging 11.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game and those scoring numbers are down from his time playing with Steve Nash -- when he was scoring 13 points and 15 points in two seasons -- but Gortat has still proven to be productive on the offensive end, a reliable rebounder and strong defender.

Perkins averages just 4.6 points and 5.9 rebounds in 25 minutes per game this season. The nice thing about Perkins is that he doesn't take shots away from Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant or Serge Ibaka and doesn't complain about his role on the team. While adding Gortat could prove to be more fire power for the Thunder, determining how he would fit in with the stars there would be a gamble.

The Suns have been looking for a little financial flexibility and some young talent to help in their rebuilding process, but we'll have to wait and see if the Thunder actually make a move before the deadline.