The Dallas Mavericks had to take a shot somewhere. Why not try to take a chance on a troubled center who might be able to help you out after your plan A (DeAndre Jordan) and plan B (Roy Hibbert) have failed.
JaVale McGee and the Dallas Mavericks have agreed to a deal according to the team. The terms are not yet disclosed but it’s been previously discussed that McGee might settle for a one-year image rehab deal to try to get back into free agency in the summer of 2016.
Official statement from the Mavericks and ESPN’s Marc Stein provides the reported contract details.
The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have signed free agent center JaVale McGee. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
ESPN sources say JaVale McGee lands two-year minimum deal with Mavericks … with a team option in Year 2
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) August 13, 2015
The seven-foot, seventh year NBA veteran has been a head-scratching talent throughout his time in the NBA. He’s a regular on ‘Shaqtin a Fool’ but he’s also freakishly athletic and has stretches where he can make some amazing plays.
The issue is, how much of McGee can one team handle. He was traded away from the Denver Nuggets at the trade deadline last season and his stint with the Philadelphia 76ers didn’t last long, despite his desire to be a mentor to the young Philly big men.
McGee only appeared in 23 games for Denver and Philadelphia in last season, averaging 4.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 11.1 minutes per contest. Throughout his career he averages 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 19.9 minutes per game shooting 54 percent from the field for his career in 382 games including 158 starts through his time with the Washington Wizards, Nuggets and 76ers.
The Mavs taking a chance on McGee as a backup big man could workout for them. He won’t be starting over newly acquired Zaza Pachulia but he will get some time in the big man rotation along with another offseason addition in Samuel Dalembert. McGee’s athletic ability can not be denied, he can dunk and block shots, just not as well as DeAndre Jordan.
