Pacers Show Interest in Magic Center Marcin Gortat

by dbcb on Jul 1, 2009 1:40 PM EDT

Word is that New York and Indiana are also among the teams to register immediate interest in Gortat over the phone once free agency started, which helps explain why one Eastern Conference official describes the 7-footer from Poland as this summer's likely "Powerball winner," since Gortat almost certainly will cash in on the position he plays despite limited opportunities in Orlando behind Howard.

I really hope this is a baseless rumor because the signing would make no sense considering the money he will likely get (MLE) and the fact our depth chart seems set in post with the drafting of Hansbrough and the qualifying offer sent to McRoberts.

Depth Chart:

PF: Murphy, Hansbrough (McRoberts)

C: Hibbert, Foster (McRoberts)

I fail to see where Gortat would fit in. He seems to be a fine player and a great back up center, but you don't pay the MLE for a back up center.

I should also add that Gortat would cost us our whole MLE if not more, because according to Adrian Wojnarowski, he has already been offered the full MLE by a team.

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Comments

My immediate thoughts are that this only makes since if we are going to be trading Foster somewhere and we need to make sure we have enough size down low once the trade goes down. Otherwise this doesn’t make a lot of sense considering what we currently have.

by ThirtyOne on Jul 1, 2009 2:05 PM EDT reply actions

That is the only way I can see it making any sense whatsoever

by dbcb on Jul 1, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Larry said trades will be made.

Foster is one of our top chips.

by Man of Pace on Jul 1, 2009 2:15 PM EDT reply actions

I really hope we can move Foster. There is no since and holding on to him at this point. I think he could really help someone like Boston or Portland.

by ThirtyOne on Jul 1, 2009 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions

he has seem somewhat reluctant to trade him in the past, which makes no since because he doesn’t fit on this young team and now we have Hansbrough to do the same thing (hopefully).

He would be a perfect back up for a contending team.

by dbcb on Jul 1, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Gortat's name makes me hungry

I don’t know if I’d do too well if he were on the team.

Otherwise, I don’t mind entertaining the idea, but we’re getting an awfully crowded front court, and we’ve got absolutely no backcourt.

I would only be really interested in this if I knew we would get a decent wing player for Foster, which I think we can, but from a talent standpoint, Gortat would help this team. Maybe not me, however, but the team, yes.

by Nathan S. on Jul 1, 2009 2:34 PM EDT reply actions

Looks like Foster will be traded

As much as I love Foster and appreciate his great tenure with the Pacers it is beginning to look like he may be moving on. I think this is the right move for both parties. Foster put up with a lot while he was here and never complained and always gave his all. Hope he finds a nice home and can get a title while brining in a nice young wing player than can develop in return. At this point, Gortat would be a definite upgrade at the center position based on talent and age.

"My game’s like the Pythagorean Theorem. It ain’t got no answer." - Shaq

by bleedinblueandgold on Jul 1, 2009 2:51 PM EDT reply actions

Yea..

I agree, no one can say a bad word about Jeff, but Gortat is definitely an upgrade. He impressed the hell outta me this year when given the opportunity. Being worth the MLE, I don’t know, but I think he is a solid player, who hasnt tapped his full potential yet.

by captain flitzy on Jul 1, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Portland is trying to move Outlaw last I heard ...

Gortat would be a nice fit but to get into a bidding war for him would be rediculous …. although doesn’t seem very ambitions on offense and a good defender and rebounder would be nice to have .. I could see him pushing Roy for the starting spot

by Man of Pace on Jul 1, 2009 3:38 PM EDT reply actions