Washington Wizards starting center Marcin Gortat said Friday morning that he would like the possibility of finishing his career with the Orlando Magic, the team that drafted him, but that was taken a bit out of context. It is my understanding that Gortat made those comments with the assumption that the Wizards would be trading him as his contract expires after next season. IF he was getting traded, Orlando would be a suitable landing spot for the 7-footer because he still makes his home there in the summer.
Gortat, who will be 35 and likely have played over 900 NBA games once his current contract expires, has made clear since Media Day that his species of non-shooting bigs are going extinct. He has made plenty of money to live off of from the NBA already and is looking forward to more time for relaxation, family, and charity work.
In hopes of clearing the air, read and listen to exactly what Gortat had to say after posting a double-double in a win against the Magic.
On if he wants to play in Washington:
"Yes, I do want to play in Washington. Just because I want to finish career in a year-and-a-half doesn't mean I don't want to play in Washington. I think everything today was just blown away a little too much. I have a year-and-a-half. I want to make a run with this team to the Finals and give 110 percent to the team. After that, I already hit 10 years mark and have full pension [smirks] and I will be done."
On if he wants to be traded right now:
"No, no, no. Unless the team wants me to be traded. At this point in my life and my career I feel good here playing with John and Brad. I'm witnessing these two guys develop in the last five years. It's fun, it's fun to watch them play. There was a time when I was frustrated, there was a time when I was disappointed in my performance and I didn't play well. The joy of the game kind of disappeared, but at the end of the day, I'm feeling better now and hopefully the team is going to continue to win."