There is a hole in the middle
Before the start of the season, I wrote a lenghty article that Washington’s biggest weakness was their center–Marcin Gortat. The game has changed, and it will leave behind those who don’t want to change with it.
The article is titled,Will Marcin Gortat Step in 2017-18? I posited that question, because the game was faster, and Gortat was not. On the second page, I wrote that he had to add perimeter defense.
I also added:
"“No one is telling Gortat to start shooting from the three-point line, like DeMarcus Cousins and Al Horford. But he must now defend the perimeter just as easily as he defends the paint. The league is now a pace and space era, and if he doesn’t pick up his pace, he is going to be left behind.” “Everyone knows what Gortat has to offer, but bigs are now playing faster on and off the ball. The only question that remains is whether he can keep up?” “Washington is in line to make the playoffs, but how far they go depends on whether they have a reliable man in the middle. Otherwise, the Wizards will be in the same position as last season – just one game away from tasting victory, only to spend their offseason with the bitter taste of defeat.”"
However, Ian Mahinmi stepped up and was healthy this season. Whether or not the Wizards decide to keep Gortat, he can no longer be a first option.
It’s a very difficult decision because Gortat worked hard. But he chose not to adapt to how the game of basketball is being played.
The Wizards will remain in the middle, if they keep Gortat in the middle. If Gortat stays, he should be coming off the bench.