Orlando Magic Bring Back Marcin Gortat
July 13, 2009 by Stephen Kersey
Filed under Basketball
The Orlando Magic made one of the most shocking moves of the 2009 NBA offseason when they decided to match the Dallas Mavericks offersheet on restricted free agent Marcin Gortat. The Mavs and Gortat agreed to a offersheet worth $34 million over five years. Most league experts believed the Magic would let Gortat go to the Mavs — think again.
Marcin Gortat - Orlando Magic Match Offersheet (Image: Zuma Press)
Not only do the Mavs have to be upset about the turn of events, Gortat himself is apparently upset. Guy Zucker, Gortat’s agent, said that Gortat really wanted to play with the Mavs and doesn’t think he’ll have the opportunity to show his true worth as a member of the Magic.
On the Mavs, Gortat was expected to start at center. Even though he hasn’t played many minutes in the NBA, his per-minute stats have been very good.
On the Magic, Gortat will likely continue to backup Dwight Howard at center. Once he’s eligible to be traded (in December), the Magic will likely field offers.
