Veteran NBA center Marcin Gortat decided to retire from professional basketball last month, walking away from a league where he played for four teams across 12 years.
Gortat, 36, saw his last NBA season come during the 2018/19 campaign with the Clippers and spent much of this season contemplating his future.
“It’s sad but you know, the whole adventure and the whole ‘Polish Hammer’ thing has to end at some point,” Gortat said, according to Mike DePrisco of NBC Sports. “I’m happy that after 12 years I achieved so much being the 57th pick in the draft. Now, I’ve got the good part and I’m going to enjoy my life and enjoy the other guys watching them play on the court.”
Gortat returned to Washington and watched the Wizards play the Hawks on Friday, receiving a video tribute from the organization. He helped the franchise make the playoffs in four of his five seasons, playing physical basketball on both ends of the floor.
Here are some other odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- Free agent Raymond Felton won’t be signing in the Czech Republic after all, according to Niccolo Scavuzzo of Sportando. Felton reportedly reached agreement with Jindřichův Hradec, with the team’s GM suggesting in an official statement that the point guard would report until April, but it appears that announcement was premature.
- LiAngelo Ball is signing with the Oklahoma City Blue, G League affiliate of the Thunder, Shams Charania of The Athletic tweets. Ball is continuing his pursuit of an NBA deal by way of the G League, with the 21-year-old going undrafted back in 2018.
- In an article for ESPN Insider, Jonathon Givony and Mike Schmitz detail why Isaac Okoro might be a top-five NBA draft pick this June. Okoro, 19, is a 6-foot-6 small forward who currently plays at Auburn.
John Wall, who may never be the same, or even a starting caliber player again submarined this dude.
Okoro looks like he could be a huge bust.
He looks similar to Josh Jackson, DeAndre Hunter, Mikal Bridges and Stanley Johnson.
That athletic top 10 SF that’s good defensively but needs to improve his offence.
Okoro is shooting under 30% from 3 in college and that line extends half a metre further from the rim in the NBA. Hes also shooting 67% from the free throw line and lastly for his 2 assists per game he gives up 2 turnovers. He only averages 13 points per game and 4.4 rebounds, I can’t see much value in that at all.
For me if I’m looking at SF I’d much rather take the upside of Deni Avdija or Jaden McDaniels.
Or use a late first rounder on someone like Precious Achiwura, Devin Vassell, Jordan Nwora, Saqid Bey or Patrick Williams
I agree w your take except for the inclusion of DeAndre hunter in that group of players…way too soon. Plus he’s shown real breakout potential of late.
I should’ve clarified I compared Hunter because of his game styles with good defence and working progresss offence but I actually like Hunter and think give him a year or two he will be a solid player.
But still as a top 5 pick you want all star level or close to not just solid.
Mikal Bridges has good numbers and a different style. DeAndre Hunter is similar (though better) and may even be why Isaac Okoro is getting highly rated. (I don’t get espn+.)
I think though that he does look overrated. It will be too bad if the Cavs go for him. Okoro has quick reflxes but not really smart ones. Scouts think, well he will learn in time, and scouts are supposed to consider the long-run aspect. He will still have his leg build. But I suspect he will be average, and coach Pearl is no help.