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NBA: Teams That Should Trade For Marcin Gortat

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 8, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (13) reacts to a call during the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons win 112-99. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (13) reacts to a call during the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons win 112-99. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 23, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry talks to forward Anthony Davis (23) during the first half of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry talks to forward Anthony Davis (23) during the first half of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

2.  New Orleans Pelicans

Marcin Gortat played for New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry from 2010 to 2013. Then members of the Phoenix Suns, Gentry ran his offense through point guard Steve Nash, who trusted Gortat to be his No. 1 pick-and-roll weapon.

With New Orleans needing to make an improvement at center, a somewhat ostracized Gortat should be firmly on Dell Demps’ radar.

Swapping Tyreke Evans for Gortat makes some sense. One could argue that it doesn’t work quite as well for the Wizards stylistically, as Evans would join John Wall as ball-dominant playmakers who aren’t exactly exceptional shooters.

Wall has improved, but Evans hasn’t—a reality that implies this move would only work if Evans were willing to embrace the sixth man role he’d so clearly thrive in.

If such a move could be made, the Wizards would add a second playmaker, and Pelicans would land the missing piece at the 5. Omer Asik isn’t working out—as expected—and Alexis Ajinca is better suited for the role of a backup.

With Anthony Davis and Gortat down low, and Jrue Holiday and Buddy Hield at the guard spots, New Orleans could make noise in 2016-17.

Next: The Perfect Replacement