JaVale McGee Waived by 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers acquired center JaVale McGee amid the eventful NBA trade deadline, but would waive him just before midnight on March 1. 

Continue for updates.

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76ers Waive McGee 

Monday, March 2

Just before the March 1 deadline, McGee was waived by the 76ers, confirms the team's website. Sam Amick of USA Today first reported the news.

Amick believes McGee will have multiple suitors once he clears waivers:

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Players waived by March 1 can still sign with teams that compete in the postseason, meaning the 27-year-old McGee will likely have a fruitful market when he clears waivers. Whether it's a new job with one of the Texas teams (San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets), the Miami Heat or another contender, McGee has every reason to be enthused about what lies ahead — especially considering he didn't give any money back.

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76ers, McGee Reportedly in Buyout Negotiations

Sunday, March 1

League sources tell ESPN.com's Marc Stein that the 76ers are in "active" buyout talks with center JaVale McGee and that the player's intermediaries are seeking a potential landing spot once he hits the open market. 

Stein added more details:

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Sources told ESPN.com that McGee, after initially saying upon being dealt to the Sixers that he did not want a buyout, has his representatives on the hunt for a team interested in signing the 7-footer once he clears waivers before signing off on a buyout.

McGee would have to be waived by Philadelphia by midnight Sunday to be eligible to play in the 2015 playoffs with another team. But his willingness to surrender salary -- with a guaranteed $12 million scheduled to come his way next season as well as the rest of this season's $11.25 million -- will almost certainly depend on what sort of deal can be had with a new team once the 27-year-old becomes a free agent.

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Even though he arrived in Philadelphia as a means to an end as the 76ers continue a roster overhaul, McGee expressed a desire to stay with the squad after he was traded, via Stein:

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I don't want to get bought out. That's not a positive thing. When you think about it, you don't get all of your money when you get bought out. So it doesn't make sense why someone would want to get bought out unless they are older -- older and they want to go to a contender or something. I'm not that old. I just want to play basketball.

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Frank Isola of the New York Daily News weighed in on that situation on Sunday:

If McGee isn't waived by midnight Sunday, he won't be eligible to play in the playoffs with another team. The 7-footer's athleticism and shot-blocking ability are traits any contender should covet in their frontcourt rotation.     

McGee is just 27 years old and has one additional season remaining on a four-year, $44 million contract, per Spotrac.com. According to Stein, his willingness to surrender his remaining salary "will almost certainly depend on what sort of deal can be had with a new team." If no team claims him on waivers, his contract would be terminated, and he'd be free to sign with the team of his choosing. 

If McGee and the Sixers don't agree on a buyout, there's a good chance he'll be on the trading block in 2015-16 with an expiring deal. Either way, it's safe to say he shouldn't be pursuing long-term housing options in Philadelphia.

Assuming the Sixers do waive McGee, there's minimal risk for another team bringing him aboard considering the upside he has, the prospect of a fresh start and the chance to play meaningful games late in the current campaign.