Meeting in a few w/ Gortat.Send a note to him NOW at rocketsfanslovegortat@gmail.com .He will receive.Show him how much we want him in Red!about 1 hour ago from TwitterBerry
While their cornerstone center considered treatment options, the Rockets began the free-agent shopping season at the front door of a player they hope will fill in for him.
Rockets general manager Daryl Morey began his recruiting efforts to sign Magic backup center Marcin Gortat at 11:01 p.m. Tuesday, the first minute teams could begin speaking to free agents.
Though free agent guard Ron Artest has indicated that his decision will not be impacted by the uncertainty surrounding Yao Ming, and the team held out hope that Yao would return next season, the Rockets wasted no time starting the chase for a backup big man to fill the middle while Yao is out, and beyond.
Players cannot sign free-agent contracts until July 8. Gortat leads a group of free agent centers that includes Zaza Pachulia, Theo Ratliff, Francisco Elson, Chris Mihm and Jamaal Magliore. Free agent forwards Chris Andersen, Brandon Bass, Rasheed Wallace and Drew Gooden could be used at center in some circumstances.
More than ever, though, Gortat, 25, might fit the Rockets’ needs best. A high-energy, 6-11, 240-pound center, Gortat averaged just 3.8 points and 4.5 rebounds, playing 12.6 minutes per game as Dwight Howard’s backup last season.
He is considered a strong-enough prospect that an individual with knowledge of the Rockets’ decision-making said the team had decided to target Gortat to serve as Yao’s backup even when it was thought that Yao’s hairline fracture would have healed by now.
“I don’t do speculation stuff, but from a basketball point of view, I’ve read there appears to be an unfortunate problem with Yao’s health. And if Yao cannot play, that creates a particular need for Marcin,” Guy Zucker, Gortat’s agent, said adding he had not yet spoken with the Rockets. “He is the type of character that would fit very well there because they have done a great job choosing … hard-working, team-oriented players.
“It (playing for the Rockets) is a very, very, very interesting prospect. Athletically, it is a rarity to find a seven-footer that can run, move laterally, cover several positions on defense and whose rebounding is improving the way Marcin’s is. Houston is an intriguing possibility. There is a sudden availability of playing time, a winning organization, good management and a very, very good coach, obviously.”
For a backup center, Orlando’s Marcin Gortat is surprisingly popular. At least in Houston, where the future of Yao Ming is uncertain.
Rockets general manager Daryl Morey launched an all-out bid to land the backup to Dwight Howard(notes) on Wednesday, showing up at Gortat’s home in Orlando just after midnight (Eastern time), virtually the minute teams were officially allowed to begin negotiating with free agents.
Morey even announced the meeting on his Facebook page and urged fans to leave notes for Gortat at an e-mail address— rocketsfanslovegortat(at)gmail.com. Morey said that within 10 minutes of his face-to-face meeting with Gortat, more than 100 e-mails had already arrived and the number climbed above 2,000 by noon Wednesday.
“He was reading them with some intensity,” Morey said in a phone interview Wednesday. “He was impressed by the number of messages and how much the fans seem to care about their team. I knew Rockets fans would come through.”
Morey said the Rockets made Gortat an offer, but would not divulge details.
“He’s someone we’ve targeted for some time, even before this season,” Morey said. “Although he’s early in his career in terms of experience, we feel like he’s a guy who has a lot of potential over time.”
Hey guys I want to know if Gortat signs with the Rockets, what exactly are you expecting of him? Hypothetically speaking, if Yao IS out for a whole season do you see Gortat stepping up to the plate and starting?
As much as I want him here, Orlando isn't going to let him go. Any reasonable deal, they are going to match. Unless we really over pay him (I hope we don't) then I just don't see it happening.
As much as I want him here, Orlando isn't going to let him go. Any reasonable deal, they are going to match. Unless we really over pay him (I hope we don't) then I just don't see it happening.
i read somewhere that the magic said they probably can't match an offer over 5 mil. the rockets can offer the mle which is over 5 mil and i don't think would be overpaying him, so it could happen.
i read somewhere that the magic said they probably can't match an offer over 5 mil. the rockets can offer the mle which is over 5 mil and i don't think would be overpaying him, so it could happen.
If we use over 5 million on a free agent, it's going to make things awfully difficult with those 2 2nd round draft picks.
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Yeah I think the 6mill for the late second rounders wasnt the smartest move anymore.
Unless it doesnt affect the luxury tax?
I realise they will want to stay under that. Spending that 6 mill on the draft for players that wont make the rotation. Probably means we have less money to spend for guys who will make the rotation.
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Yeah I think the 6mill for the late second rounders wasnt the smartest move anymore.
Unless it doesnt affect the luxury tax?
I realise they will want to stay under that. Spending that 6 mill on the draft for players that wont make the rotation. Probably means we have less money to spend for guys who will make the rotation.
No, what PO means is that we have to use the MLE if we want to sign Budinger and Taylor. The 6M we used to acquire their draft rights were just cash, it doesn't affect anything except Les' pockets.
Maybe we can sign and trade Lull and either Budinger or Taylor for Gortat. I definitely want to keep one of the 2, but that Lull dude can see the door.
rocketsfanslovegortat@gmail.com (Update: Gortat to Dallas?)
rocketsfanslovegortat@gmail.com (Update: Gortat to Dallas?)
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