The Orlando Magic have matched the Dallas Mavericks 5-year, $34 million offer to unrestricted free agent Marcin Gortat in order to retain him.
This move came as a shock to many because of the situation the Magic are in financially. Unless they are planning on trading Gortat, and if they do they will have to wait until December 15th, Orlando will be paying $73.05 million to Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis, Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson, Mickael Pietrus, Brandon Bass and Gortat. One would have to assume they are making another move with that much money committed to just seven players. Maybe trade Pietrus for a future pick?
For Dallas, this pretty much kills all of the Erick Dampier to Milwaukee for Michael Redd rumors. I am sure that they are looking back at trading BJ Mullens after drafting him and cringing, too. This is the second player they have lost to the Magic this off-season (Brandon Bass as the other), both of which seriously hurts their low-post depth.
With Zaza Pachulia resigning in Atlanta, the big man market continues to thin. If Dallas wants to make a big offer to a post player, why not Glen Davis? Boston may do the same that Magic did by matching the offer, but it Davis is well worth the offer. However, his value may have taken a hit since his nickname of Big Baby was stolen by LeBron James.
