May 9, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (4) dribbles the ball as Indiana Pacers power forward David West (21) defends during the first half in game three of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Marcin Gortat is in his sixth year in the league and has really turned the corner in his time in the NBA. Gortat is currently playing the role of the starting center for the surprise Washington Wizards who are in a deep playoff race. Gortat is sure to get a lot of phone calls come this summer. Helping a team make the playoffs for the first time since 2008 says a lot and will surely help him get what he wants contract wise. Playing along side NeNe and playing with an athletic back court of Bradley Beal and John Wall makes us here in Philadelphia wonder…how would Gortat look in the post along side Nerlens Noel and setting up pick and roles from reigning rookie of the year, Michael Carter-Williams?
Gortat averaged some pretty solid numbers this season for the Wizards and made his case for most improved player of the year. He finished the season averaging 13.2 points per game and 9.5 rebounds a game. Pretty good numbers and on the Sixers with their extreme case of youth those numbers could improve drastically. The Sixers have struggled to find a rebounding big man and as we have seen this season and in seasons past, teams continue to exploit them in that area. Gortat is coming off his second best scoring average for a season since he averaged 15.4 in 2011 for the Phoenix Suns. A big man that can score the basketball is always a plus in this league especially since the center and true power forward positions are almost forgotten at this point in the game. If the Sixers were to bring in a player of his size with his scoring ability it would make Nerlens transition the NBA game that much smoother. Not to mention Thaddeus Young would have more advantages against smaller forwards and guards and the Sixers will be able to stretch the floor.
Gortat also has a lot of post-season experience that could be a major confidence booster to a young team like the Sixers. He is currently playing in the post-season for the fourth time in his short six-year career. He is averaging 10.3 points per game and is holding down his own against a much more talented Indiana Pacers squad. The Sixers have a chance to have not just Thaddeus Young and Nerlens Noel, but are in a position cash wise to really catapult the rebuilding process by adding a third big player who can help immediately. Marcin Gortat may very well stay in Washington and help them continue to rebuild the team back to a respective contender. If the Sixers have a chance to grab him they surely should do their best to reel him in. He is 30 years old so even down the line he could come off the bench in a few seasons if all goes well. The Sixers are in no shape to be picky about who is out there when it comes to free agents and he is surely one of the certain bright spots at his position.
Do you feel Gortat would help the Sixers improve? After all, how many dominant post players are in the Eastern Conference currently?