On Friday, Washington Wizards’ center Marcin Gortat said, that he wants to end his NBA career back where it all started, with the Orlando Magic.
On Friday, Washington Wizards‘ center Marcin Gortat said, that he wants to end his NBA career back where it all started, with the Orlando Magic. This news comes on the same day that the Wizards play the Magic.
It’s common for players to retire where they began their NBA career. However, the Polish Machine doesn’t expect his NBA days to continue after completing his current contract with the Wizards, which ends after the 2018-19 season.
"“I would love to join the team for maybe two or three months, or maybe half a season at least,” Gortat told the Orlando Sentinel after the Wizards completed their shootaround Friday at Capital One Arena."
Currently, the big man is averaging 9.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game in Washington. Lately, Coach Scott Brooks has been going small to close out games, with Gortat on the bench.
It’s unclear if Gortat will end his career after his current contract, because he added:
"“I’m not saying 100 percent. I would say ‘probably.’ The way everything goes, the way the NBA goes right now and everything that’s going on, I just don’t feel like I’m going to stay in this league for much longer.”"
Is this a preemptive move on the part of Gortat, to make sure he’s not part of any trade discussions? Only time will tell.
There’s no discernible rumbling that Gortat is on the trading block. Even so, another team may not bite, knowing that he may be on his way out.
Next month is the NBA trade deadline, and Gortat will also be celebrating his 34th birthday.