Tue, Jun 28, 2005 at 11:05pm

MAGIC ADD GORTAT

The Orlando Magic acquired the draft rights to forward Marcin Gortat (No. 57 overall pick in the 2005 draft) from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for future considerations.

What does it give the Orlando Magic
One of the most intriguing center prospects taken in recent years. Gortat is sometimes listen as a forward because he's so athletic and mobile but he has the potential to be a star down low. He slipped to late in the draft only because he's so inexperienced playing basketball, but he's a natural athlete who's been catching on quickly. Gortat may actually be a better pick-up than any of the other three players Orlando grabbed in this year's draft, and he replaces newly-chosen Martynas Andriuskevicius, who was traded to Cleveland.

What does it give the Phoenix Suns
Salary cap space from Gortat's rookie contract, needed to re-sign young stars Joe Johnson and Amare Stoudemire. "Future considerations" don't say much, but it's hard to see them equalling the upside of Gortat with anything but that precious cap space. Phoenix has had no compunction lately in freeing up funds by trading away big, mobile European prospects (doing the same last season with Zarko Cabarkapa and Maciej Lampe), and it's not as though they need many new players.

Fantasy impact