Marcin Gortat Seeks Expanded Role With Magic or Possible Trade

Being the most stacked team in the league at the center position should leave an organization in a comfortable spot.

With the NBA's top starting and backup center in Dwight Howard and Marcin Gortat, the Orlando Magic are finding out that that's not necessarily true.

Gortat has expressed his frustration with his small role for the Magic.

In only about 15 minutes of action a night for Orlando, the seven footer is averaging 3.8 points and 3.8 rebounds to go with just under a block per game.

“I love the organization, but I’m not going to stay here being a back-up player and playing five minutes a game,” Gortat said. “I hope people understand that. I know I can have a bigger role on another team.”

This may come as a surprise to the Orlando front office as they saw Gortat as an elite insurance player behind Dwight Howard.

GM Otis Smith threw finances out the window to match the Dallas Mavericks offseason five year, $34 million offer sheet to sign Gortat.

The signing meant Orlando would be shelling out plenty of money for the luxury tax, while enjoying the "luxury" of two solid centers.

Teams across the league have continued to show interest in the "Polish Hammer" as a starter. Dallas obviously liked what they saw, throwing big money his way to compliment Dirk Nowitzki in the Mavericks frontcourt.

Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey, also known as "Dork Elvis," courted Gortat in the offseason and even went so far as to create [e-mail] to show him support.

Gortat looked very enticing to Houston after learning that Yao Ming would be missing the 2009-10 season after surgery on a foot fracture.

The problem with trading the Gortat is, what can Orlando get in exchange for their relief center?

The Magic need a guy like Gortat in the frontcourt, where they are not as deep as they would like to be.

Orlando's third center is Adonal Foyle, who is still recovering from knee surgery earlier this year.

At power forward the Magic have Rashard Lewis, Ryan Anderson and Brandon Bass. Both Lewis and Anderson are great perimeter shooters but struggle with defense near the hoop. Bass, on the other hand, is a better defender, but, at 6'8", is a bit undersized.

If Orlando were to trade Gortat, they would likely seek a lesser center packaged with a true power forward or a decent draft pick.

There is also the possibility of packaging Gortat with another player, maybe Lewis or SG JJ Redick, to nab a big name PF with a more complete skill set.

Regardless of what the future holds for Marcin Gortat, the Orlando Magic are focused on winning an NBA title in the near future. Otis Smith will weigh out the possibilities and move forward with the best interest of the franchise in mind.