JaVale McGee’s time as a starting center is over, and his brief tenure as a mentor for the Philadelphia 76ers is, too. In his next NBA role, it seems the talented but inconsistent big man could play the part of frontcourt reserve for a contender.
According to ESPN, the Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, and Miami Heat have interest in signing McGee once he clears waivers tomorrow evening.
Source: Golden State has major interest in signing JaVale McGee. He's viewed as potential insurance for Andrew Bogut
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) March 3, 2015
Mavs and Heat are two known teams interested in JaVale McGee but sense is there are more. McGee due to clear waivers at 5 PM Wednesday
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 3, 2015
McGee was dealt to the Sixers along with a first-round pick in a salary dump by the Denver Nuggets on trade deadline day. Despite both parties initially saying all the right things about his potential place with re-building Philly, it took just over a week for reality to supplant optimism: The Sixers have no use for McGee, and he’s not the type of guy cut-out to play for a re-building team.
After team and player first talked a buy-out, Philadelphia ultimately decided to simply waive McGee, ESPN’s Marc Stein says. Due to the $12 million salary he’s owed next season, it’s extremely unlikely he’ll be claimed on the waiver wire.
Despite McGee’s on- and off- court failings, it’s easy to see why he’d be an intriguing option for a team seeking frontcourt depth for the postseason. The seven-footer is a somewhat viable rim-protector at the very least, and certainly capable of filling the lane as dive-man after setting a ball-screen. In a strict role with set minutes, perhaps the 27 year-old could prove valuable.
And while the depleted Heat could certainly use another body in the post, McGee’s presence would loom far larger from a league-wide perspective if he signed with the Warriors or Mavericks. Both squads lack a center of his physical traits behind the oft-injured Andrew Bogut and Tyson Chandler.
Against frontcourts like those of the Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers, and even Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder, McGee would provide Steve Kerr and Rick Carlisle six extra fouls if nothing more. And in a race for the Western Conference crown that’s sure to be so hotly contested, every little thing matters.
We’ll keep you updated as information on McGee’s status becomes available.
