JaVale McGee Signs with Dallas Mavericks
After getting waived by the Philadelphia 76ers March 1, free-agent center JaVale McGee has signed with the Dallas Mavericks, according to Earl K. Sneed of Fox Sports Southwest.
On July 13, Marc Stein of ESPN characterized Dallas' interest in McGee at the time as "exploratory." Stein later said if McGee "checks out medically," there's a "good chance" the big man could move to the top of Dallas' list.
The Mavericks' interest in McGee was first reported in a July 12 report from Shams Charania of RealGM.com.
The Sacramento Kings were also interested in the rangy 7-footer, according to Yahoo Sports' Marc Spears on June 23.
McGee was traded from the Nuggets to the Sixers at last season's trade deadline in exchange for a top-18 protected first-round pick (via Oklahoma City) that will turn into a top-15 protected first-round selection in 2016.
After averaging just three points and 2.2 rebounds over six appearances with the Sixers, McGee was waived. As a result, the Sixers will pay the remaining $12 million due to the 27-year-old next season, according to BasketballInsiders.com.
The move gives Dallas a versatile, if frustratingly inconsistent big man to help fill the considerable void in the post the Mavericks currently have, after the team missed out on star center DeAndre Jordan in free agency. While McGee is hardly the player Jordan is, he's got the potential to be a solid contributor. McGee's physical gifts have long been undeniable, but questions remain whether he'll ever be able to maximize them on the court.
