Marcin Gortat Is Heading Back To Orlando
I’m surprised … RealGM has the press release
The Orlando Magic have exercised its right of first refusal and retained restricted free agent center Marcin Gortat, General Manager Otis Smith officially announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.
Orlando had seven days to match an offer sheet made to Gortat by Dallas on July 8.
“Having quality big men is an absolute must in our league, and Marcin (Gortat) has worked very hard to fit into that category,” said Smith. “He provides tremendous depth to our frontcourt and we’re happy to bring him back.”
I’m shocked. I didn’t think the Magic would take this type of a cap hit on a 12-15 minute a night backup for Dwight Howard.
Happy Or Not Happy?
I can’t decide whether I’m happy about this news or not.
- I’m delighted for Orlando. This is a wonderful signing and it sets them up as one of the three best teams in the NBA, and perhaps even the frotnrunner for the title next season.
- I’m miserable for Marcin Gortat because I think he’s one of the 15 best centers in the league, and may be able to establish himself as one of the 10 best centers if given an opportunity. I’m miserable because he’s far too good of a player to be playing as a backup for another player. I desperately wanted to see him play 30-35 minutes and be one of the best players on whathever new team that he joined.
- I’m very disappointed for the Dallas Mavericks. They went from having a hugely encouraging roster, with great trade possibilities, with legitimate title aspirations down the road … to a team in trouble all over again.
Conclusions
Let’s just look at this from the Magic’s point of view. This signing is absolutely brilliant. They couldn’t have done better than Marcin Gortat for this type of money, and Gortat is exactly the type of backup big man that the Magic needed.
This gives them four legit bigs — Dwight Howard, Marcin Gortat, Brandon Bass, Ryan Anderson — who are all rotation worthy talents, which allows Orlando to start Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter on the wing, which keeps Mickael Pietrus in his sixth man role and JJ Redick as the second wing off the bench. And then they have Jameer Nelson and Anthony Johnson at the point. This roster is absolutely loaded right now.
Orlando are going to have a fabulous season. I’m delighted at how well the summer has played out for them.
Dave,
It’s quite humorous to me that so many people in general and Raptors fans, specifically, think that Toronto actually “made out best” of the participants in last week’s 4-team trade extravaganza.
As you said … the Magic are set to have another terrific season.
I couldn’t agree more. It kind of sucks for Gortat. He’s said he’s disappointed, and I would be too. The guy deserves a starting role.
On the other hand, I am really excited about this Magic team. I was a bit worried about the backup 5 spot for them, and now that worry has been 100% alleviated.
I still hope Van Gundy will try out a Gortat + Howard lineup. That’s the only way he’ll get extra minutes, and SVG refused to throw them out there together last season, until a brief stretch in an important playoff game where Gortat looked absoultely lost at the 4 spot. I’m not sure the likelihood of him giving this a shot, especially with Brandon Bass there now.
-Vittorio De Zen
There are quite a few people who feel that the Magic only matched the offer in order to trade Gortat in a few months time. I’d be surprised if they that, but anyway …
Best trade idea I’ve heard so far — Marcin Gortat for Shane Battier.