Phoenix Suns and NBA journeyman center JaVale McGee has signed a three-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks worth $20.1 million. The third year of the contract will be a player option for the NBA fan favorite center. He reunites with Head Coach Jason Kidd and assistant coach Jared Dudley who were with him on the Los Angeles Lakers when the team won the NBA Championship. Now the Dallas Mavericks have another established big man on the roster to pair around star forward Luka Doncic.
Free agent JaVale McGee has agreed to a three-year, $20.1 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks, with player option for third season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022
This past season with the Phoenix Suns, JaVale McGee averaged 9.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. He paired that with a field goal percentage of 62.9 percent and a three-point percentage of 22.2 percent. More importantly, McGee has been on three NBA Championship teams and brings in a voice and personality that has experienced what it means to win at the top level of the NBA. With the current layout of the roster, it is unclear how much playing time each big man will get next season.
JaVale McGee told ESPN that he expects to be Dallas’ starting center. He will reunite with head coach Jason Kidd and assistant coach Jared Dudley, who were part of a Lakers’ title run with McGee.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) June 30, 2022
The Dallas Mavericks seem to be on the right track to contending for an NBA Championship with Luka Doncic. Adding JaVale McGee gives them a good rebounder and defender that has won multiple NBA Championships. Pairing a second star with Doncic has to be in future plans, but for now, the team will be near the top of the Western Conference next season.
