Marcin Gortat Pops onto Celtics Radar

It is no secret that the Boston Celtics will be in the market for more size before the Trading Deadline in February and a new name has jumped into the mix: Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat.  If you recall, Gortat began his career with the Orlando Magic as a back-up center to Dwight Howard.  The Magic eventually had to trade him because his value was soaring and a lot of teams wanted to pay him as a starting center.  The Magic could not afford to pay two centers top ten value at their position.  They needed help elsewhere, but it obviously came back to haunt them once Howard demanded a trade out of town.

Gortat is a really nice player and is still only 28 years old.  He is averaging roughly 12 points and 9 rebounds per game this season, and most importantly, would provide legitimate size.  He is 6’11, but what is really nice about him is how mobile he is.  He doesn’t slug down the court and runs with a purpose.  He is signed through next year, so it’s not like he is just a four to five month rental.

What would it take to get Gortat?  I have to believe either Courtney Lee or Avery Bradley would have to be in the deal, with the Celtics preference being to trade Lee first.  Would the Celtics do Brandon Bass and Lee for Gortat?  I am not fully sure; I think it might be a little too much.  I think a reasonable deal in some form would be Lee, Fab Melo, and this year’s first round pick, which figures to be in the back end of the draft.

Marcin Gortat would be a nice addition to this Celtics team and would help to rectify the rebounding problem that has haunted this team during the young season.

 

Rob Lunder covers the Boston Celtics for Rant Sports.  For all Celtics news go to the team homepage on Rant Sports.  Follow him on Twitter @rlunder18