Washington Wizards: Will they make a move at the 2018 NBA Trade Deadline?
Parting ways with Gortat
The Washington Wizards recently made center Marcin Gortat available trade and with good reason. Gortat is 33 years old and approaching the end of his career. He expressed interest in wanting to retire as an Orlando Magic player recently as well.
The Polish Hammer is averaging 8.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game this season. It’s his lowest scoring average since joining the team in 2013. Gortat has one year left on his contract worth $13.5 million. With a lot of money tied up in Gortat, Jason Smith and Ian Mahinmi, it was a no-brainer who Washington should offer up first in terms of value.
The Wizards have gotten bold and upped the ante in their quest to acquire Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan. They may not have enough to offer considering they want to keep their first round draft pick off the table. They’ve traded away their first round pick in three of their last four seasons.
I’m told by a league source if @WashWizards do anything before the Thursday 3pm trade deadline it will be minor. #DCFamily #NBA
— Chris Miller 🎥🎙🏀 (@CMillsPXP) February 6, 2018
Before, I was skeptical of a rotation with DeAndre Jordan in it, but with the recent happenings, adding Jordan to this group gives them a solid defensive anchor in the paint to rely upon.
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The Clippers’ asking price may be too steep, though. They already acquired Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley, a first round pick and second round pick for Blake Griffin in a trade to the Detroit Pistons on Jan. 29.