Jan 15, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (4) dunks the ball against the Miami Heat in the first quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

We’re nearing the NBA trade deadline, but the Wizards seemed to have already acquired their long term big man. Washington was in the rumor mill earlier this week for supposedly having interest in trading for Detroit Pistons big man, Greg Monroe, or acquiring him through free agency. According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, it now seems like the Wizards will make re-signing Gortat, who they acquired in a trade with the Phoenix Suns before the season began for Emeka Okafor and a top-12 protected pick, a priority this summer.

On occasion of Marcin Gortat’s return to PHX, be advised Wiz are thrilled w/their new center & see re-signing him this summer as a priority

Stein also added that the Wizards would be discussing a contract extension with the Polish center before June 30th:

Wiz, I’m told, would be doubly thrilled if Gortat signed extension before June 30, but deal more advantageous to MG financially after July 1

It’s important to remember that Marcin Gortat is an unrestricted free agent and has the right to sign with any team interested, not just the Wizards. Gortat signed an offer sheet with the Dallas Mavericks in 2009, which the Orlando Magic matched, forcing him to remain a backup to Dwight Howard. Gortat said he was “very disappointed” about having to stay in Orlando, and the Mavericks will likely have interest in him once again this offseason. I’m not necessarily saying that Gortat won’t want to re-sign with the Wizards, especially if they compete in the post-season, but there will be other offers available for him. Washington has over-payed to keep some of their talent on the roster, so it wouldn’t surprise me if Gortat gets somewhere north of $10 million dollars per season from the Wizards.

This news comes at a weird time, especially since the Wizards were supposedly interested in acquiring Greg Monroe. As of right now, we can only speculate, but it seems like Washington will try to secure one of the two big men.

Re-signing Gortat to a “long-term” deal could mean anything, and it’s way too early to predict any roster moves the Wizards are going to make. Gortat has been solid, averaging 12 points and nearly 9 rebounds per game, and I’m not surprised that Washington is interested in locking him up.

What are your thoughts? Should the Wizards go after Monroe, or should they settle for Gortat? Let me know in the comments section.