The Wizards are working to deal center Marcin Gortat, but are refusing to part with the No. 15 pick to make it happen, tweets Marc Stein of The New York Times.
Teams to watch tonight, according to Stein, are the Mavericks, who have the cap space to take on Gortat, and the Trail Blazers, who have a trade exception that will cover his $13.57MM contract for next season (Twitter link). Stein adds that many more clubs will have the cap space to fit Gortat if a verbal agreement is reached on a deal that won’t be finalized until July.
It’s not the first time Gortat’s name has come up on the trade market, as Washington tried to work out a deal at the February deadline. Gortat has expressed dissatisfaction with his role in the past, and a mini-controversy emerged this winter when Gortat tweeted about a great “team” victory while star guard John Wall was sidelined after knee surgery.
A source close to Gortat told Ben Mehic of The Step Back there’s “a good chance” the center will be traded soon (Twitter link), adding that both sides believe it’s time for “an amicable divorce.” The Mavericks signed Gortat to an offer sheet in 2009 and may still have some interest, Mehic notes (Twitter link).
Gortat has been a steady part of the Wizards’ foundation for the past five years, missing just eight games since arriving in Washington in 2013. He played all 82 games this season, averaging 8.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per night.
I like Gortat and think he does a lot that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet. I think he’ll be missed more than people think
Gortat is a joke. He misses layups all the time. Gets boxed out by guards all the time. He’s a bad teammate etc. there is a reason the Wizards have to attach draft picks or a young player with him to move him.
Be on lookout for Cavs to be willing to pair him with Beal for a trade..
Yes, Washington may have refused to trade their 15th pick, but have opened up their entire roster to pair along with Gortat.
Lol – why would Wiz trade Beal?
Yeah that makes sense. They wouldn’t trade the 15th pick, but they would trade Beal.
Gortat for MKG
No way the mavs take Gortat without the #15 pick.
Bulls trade #22 for #15 & Gortat?
Is an expiring contract they just have to sit & wait for offers, not hard to move, definitely they shouldn’t add the #15 to it unless they get something good in return.
Who want the cry baby send him home