The Dallas Mavericks waived JaVale McGee on Tuesday, adding a veteran center to a mostly-settled free agent market. And according to Chris Haynes, the Sacramento Kings are interested in signing McGee:
Sacramento Kings have interest in signing the two-time NBA champ JaVale McGee upon him clearing waivers, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) August 29, 2023
The interest certainly makes sense. JaVale spent two years with the Golden State Warriors while Mike Brown was an assistant there. McGee also spent a brief stint with the Denver Nuggets with Jordi Fernandez, so there’s some familiarity with the coaching staff.
McGee also fits what the Kings seem to be looking for in their backup center. The Kings have signed Nerlens Noel and Neemias Queta to minimally guaranteed contracts that essentially set the stage for a camp competition. Alex Len was also re-signed this summer after closing the season as the primary backup center, but Len has shown an adaptability to move down the depth chart and remain ready when needed.
McGee will turn 36 this season, and has always remained a limited offensive player, but he’s still a useful rim protector which the Kings desperately need in their big man rotation.
Prevail with Javale.
I am not a g big JaVale fan but he does block shots and if the Kings sign him, he can’t sign with the duds.
Certified rim-protector, although occasionally pushed around by midgets.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Monte has an affinity for bringing a bunch of traditional centers and bigs to camp and taking an abundance of them into the season.
2020-2021 Season: Holmes, Whiteside, Damian Jones, Metu, Bagley
2021-2022 Season: Holmes, Len, Queta, Thompson, Metu, Bagley
2022-2023 Season: Sabonis, Holmes, Len, Queta, Metu
Current Season: Sabonis, Len, Noel, Queta, McGee?
Kings can invite anyone they want and give them non-guaranteed deal, but I’d still love to see another PG get a camp contract.
A side note: I’m shocked Kelly Oubre hasn’t signed anywhere yet. He’s a 27 year old wing who averaged 20 and 5 last season. What gives?
What would our roster spot availability look like if the end up signing McGee? Would we still have room for another player? Yeah, I’m surprised too that Oubre is still a free agent.
I think a couple things are holding Oubre up. The league is mostly at a standstill to see what the Lillard & Harden trades end up being. I’m guessing he wants similar money to what he’s been making (≈$12.5MM) and teams aren’t wanting to pull the trigger on that yet. He’s also a bit inefficient as a volume shooter & can slip up on D. Unless he comes down on his price, he’s going to be waiting until Lillard & Harden are moved.
side-side- no one has signed Christian Wood either, although he seems easier not to sign (selfish)
Heh, coincidently I’m literally in the middle of watching JaVale McGee’s vlog series on Youtube documenting his time in the NBA Bubble…
Still kinda surprised we’re going after more bigs when we still need some help at backup PG. but I guess we’ll see what happens.
Off topic but speaking of bigs, PapaG looks a lot less lousy than I though he would playing for Greece. Granted, it’s international ball and small sample size but… nice.
He’s put together a solid career overseas.
Which is the most that any sensible person could have hoped for.
So your saying… he was not a sensible pick at 13?
The actual number 862 pick in Euro leagues but was mistakenly taken at 13 in the NBA.
Note from management to all centers,…
Sabonis is awesome. The rest of you are marginal garbage. I have seventeen centers ready to sign at a moments notice. Please plan accordingly.
I’d love having McGee on the team! I’m really excited to see a camp competition between Len, McGee, Noel, & Queta.
I’ve been super happy with what Len has done coming in cold & in limited minutes the last couple of years. I’d want to keep him for sure.
Seems like the writing is on the wall for Queta. I’ve been really wishing he’d emerge as the true backup center. Idk if he’s gonna beat out Noel, and I’m far less confident he beats out Len or McGee should he be brought in.
Yes, please we don’t have enough back up centers. There’s only Len, Queta, Noel, and Lyles (in spots). Why not a fifth back up?! I don’t mind picking up Mr Shaqtin’a Fool but let one or two other Cs go. I think he’d be great for team chemistry.
Probably a camp deal. I have zero expectations for him. He’s sixth on the center depth chart for this team IMO. A guy in his mid 30s that hasn’t played meaningful, quality, NBA basketball in a couple of years.
But never a bad thing to have a vet that’s familiar with the coaching staff and philosophies around.
No- Thank You!
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