Washington Wizards: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season

5. Marcin Gortat will take on a bigger role on the Wizards’ roster

The Wizards’ most under-utilized player of the 2016-17 season was probably Marcin Gortat. Gortat still managed to average a double-double (10.8 points and 10.4 rebounds per game) but in 2017-18 he’ll need to do more, particularly in the paint.

Gortat serves as the Wizards’ best big man next to Markieff Morris, that’s no secret. However, his role was underappreciated on the team by season’s end.

He led the NBA in screen assists last season with 6.2. Outside of getting other players open though, Gortat’s touches were limited in 2016-17. He took just 8.4 shot attempts per game, his lowest total since the 2010-11 season.

Considering how often the Wizards like to run the pick-and-roll, the 2017-18 season will be where they get Gortat more touches around the rim.

He still shot 57.9 percent from the floor last season and despite his age, the Polish Hammer has a lot left in the tank. His 10.4 rebounds per game were a career-high for him, but he’ll also need to translate his rebounding into better paint protection in 2017-18.