[Bette]

Getting paid $34 million to back up Dwight Howard on the Orlando Magic for the next five years might sound like a good gig.
It’s just that Marcin Gortat was looking forward to having the chance to start for the Dallas Mavericks.
The Magic surprised—and disappointed—Gortat and the Mavericks on Monday, matching an offer sheet to keep the Polish big man.
Gortat’s agent, Guy Zucker, said the center “was definitely very disappointed today.” He said Gortat was back in his native Poland, where he’d already been telling everyone he was headed to the Mavericks.
Gortat was hoping to play alongside Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki and, most of all, compete with Erick Dampier for the starting job. Dampier is going into the final year of his contract.

In Orlando, Gortat will likely see spotty playing time behind Howard.
“It was definitely about the opportunity to find out how good he can really be,” Zucker said. “We had requested that Orlando not match the offer. We stated the fact that he sincerely wanted the chance to carve his own path, be his own man, so to speak, which is not going to be realistically possible in Orlando.”
Gortat averaged 3.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in about 12 minutes per game last season. Gortat’s return solidifies the Magic frontcourt for next season, with the team signing former Mavericks power forward Brandon Bass last week.

Magic match offer from Mavs to retain Gortat - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

Definitely not the best move for Gortat, but was this a good move by the Magic??

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Bette

Definitely not the best move for Gortat, but was this a good move by the Magic??

Dumb move considering they let Hedo Turkoglu go. Hedo was a starter and a key member of the team. I like Gortat, but I rather they would have spend on Hedo.

[Nawz]

They need a good back up center to back up Dwight.. I'm glad we are keeping Gortat. Hedo wanted 10 mill a year and the Magic didn't have the money to pay that much. Hedo is deffinitley more valuable than Gortat but he wanted to much money. I wish he would have just stayed than the Magic would have such a great chance at the Title but he left for the money.

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

Dumb move considering they let Hedo Turkoglu go. Hedo was a starter and a key member of the team. I like Gortat, but I rather they would have spend on Hedo.

[Bette]

I read that they might keep Gortat for a nice juicy trade.

We dont need Turk. We have Carter.