Miami Heat rumors: Heat after Marcin Gortat
Washington Wizards’ big man Marcin Gortat is the top center on the market (depending on how you define Miami Heat big man Chris Bosh, of course).
More from Miami Heat
- Predicting NBA’s Christmas Day Schedule: Lakers, Warriors highlight slate of postseason rematches
- 3 reasons the Blazers should trade Damian Lillard to the Heat and 2 reasons they shouldn’t
- 5 former Heat players to sign on veteran minimum deals, ranked
- NBA Rumors: Damian Lillard’s apology, ex-Heat player’s reflection, Darvin Ham bites a Nugget
- 3 potential James Harden suitors not named the Clippers
Gortat was dealt from the Phoenix Suns to the Wizards last year and it really paid off. Gortat, a more than solid center in a league that has very few, was a fantastic addition, helping lead a balanced Wizards’ lineup of Gortat, big man Nene, swingman Trevor Ariza, shooting guard Bradley Beal and point guard John Wall to a 44-38 season that including a playoff victory over the Chicago Bulls.
The Wizards have made keeping Gortat a priority, even visiting him in Poland.
However, many other teams, including the Miami Heat will likely be pursuing Gortat, especially now that Bosh and guard Dwyane Wade may be giving the Heat a discount.
According to Brian Windhorst, the Heat could have up to $12 million because of the pay cuts Bosh and Wade are reportedly willing to take and they could afford players like Gortat.
"As they chase free agents to join with their superstars, the Miami Heat are telling free agents they expect to have as much as $12 million in salary-cap space after getting LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to re-sign, sources told ESPN.com.With James demanding a maximum contract starting around $20.7 million, this indicates that Wade and Bosh have expressed a willingness to take drastic pay cuts to help the Heat add talent to the roster……On Tuesday, the Portland Oregonian reported that Bosh has plans to accept a five-year contract starting at $11 million, and Wade would accept a four-year deal starting at $12 million. Combined with James and a representative number for Haslem, the Heat would indeed have the space to go after top free agents like Lowry and Washington Wizards free agent center Marcin Gortat."
Gortat put up 13.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 54.2% from the field and 68.6% from the charity stripe.