Washington Wizards: Marcin Gortat speaks on future and dedication

The Washington Wizards’ oldest veteran Marcin Gortat recently spoke to the media covering his potential future as an individual and as a teammate.

Marcin Gortat and the rest of the Washington Wizards‘ starting five had career highs last season and set franchise-best marks. Gortat is a proven and capable contributor at the 5, and a reliable piece of an already dynamic offensive core in John Wall and Bradley Beal.

Highly underrated by some who may find him as a one-dimensional piece on offense, he has found himself with zero All-Star team appearances or All-NBA selections in his career.

Still, he’s truly established himself over his career and worked his way to averaging a double-double per game for the first time since his 2011-12 season in Phoenix, finding his own fountain of youth in Washington

However, he has recently come to terms with the fact that he is the oldest player on the Wizards despite his talent as a dominant and effective big for his team. While the possibility of being traded is enough to discourage some players, he has taken this into account with a sense of maturity while still being positive.

With the Wizards going all in to be a top contender in a weakened Eastern Conference, it is no wonder why Marcin Gortat had a lot to say in a podcast interview with CSN’s Chris Miller on the Tipoff Podcast, which you can listen to in full here.

"“‘Well, obviously it’s always good to hear that, the stuff that people see; the double-doubles and always being able to play. I’m glad people in their position see that. I like that. I definitely appreciate it.“But at the end of the day, I feel like people forgot about that: who I am and what I bring to the table. It’s funny, obviously nobody from management said it, none of the coaches said it, I just want to make that clear, but there were some fans who said ‘Oh, his time has come to an end in a Wizards jersey and it’s about time to trade him.’ But people don’t understand that you miss players when you don’t have them."

It is no secret Gortat is aging gracefully. He seems to be well aware of his situation and has high expectations for himself and teammates for the 2017-18 regular season. He is also right on the money when referring to “missing players” only when you don’t have them. Fans should not be mistaken in looking for future value in a big man just yet and giving up Gortat through trade this season.

Gortat had more to say about himself on expectations and what any organization or coach loves to hear from a veteran player.

"“I have the same feeling pretty much where I know what I can do, I know what I can bring to the table, especially with the crew that we have and the coaches that we have. I’m going to try to do the same this year: be available for 82 games or at least 82 games and give 110 percent from my tank.“If I can come up with another season where I’m one of the top six, seven or eight rebounders in the league, that’s going to be great. Obviously, I would still like to add a few blocks to that and a few points, but that depends on what kind of system we’re going to have and what kind of role I’m going to have this season.”"

Without much reliability or depth coming off the bench at specifically this position one thing must be clear. Gortat truly is holding the seams together on what could become a difficult season should the Wizards place Gortat on the trade block and lose their veteran big man.

Next: Ranking NBA teams by tiers for the 2017-18 season

In any case, it is relieving to see the Washington Wizards’ starting five all in on this upcoming season and taking all criticism and expectations in stride.