Wizards meeting with Marcin Gortat, want to move quickly to keep him
By Mike Dyce
The Washington Wizards haven’t exactly kept it a secret that they want to keep center Marcin Gortat. Coach Randy Wittman and Wizards senior vice president Tommy Sheppard flew to Poland to talk to Gortat about staying.
Gortat seems to be the priority for the Wizards.
From the Washington Post:
"The Wizards used the first few hours that teams were allowed to speak with free agents to reach out primarily to their own players on the open market. Gortat and Ariza were at the top of the list, especially since they will have to compete with other several teams to keep the duo in Washington.Gortat is the biggest priority of the two after the team sacrificed a first-round pick and Emeka Okafor’s expiring contract to keep him next season. The Wizards are confident that they will present a financial package to ensure that Gortat won’t leave for Miami, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Cleveland Cavaliers or any other potential suitor. Gortat is expected to command an annual salary in the $11 million to $13 million range after averaging 13.2 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 81 games last season."
As you’d expect a team to do with their free agency priority, the Wizards are moving quickly to get his signature.
Was told #wizards are currently meeting with Marcin Gortat. They want to move quickly to keep him
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) July 1, 2014