JaVale McGee Injury: Updates on Mavericks Center's Leg and Recovery

Tyler ConwaySep 21, 2015

Dallas Mavericks center JaVale McGee will not be ready for the beginning of training camp as he continues to recover from a leg injury.

Continue for updates.

McGee 1 of 3 Mavs Still Injured Heading into Camp

Monday, Sept. 21

ESPN.com's Tim MacMahon reported McGee, forward Chandler Parsons and guard Wesley Matthews will all be brought back from their respective injuries "gradually" when Dallas opens camp next week.

McGee, 27, is still in the process of recovering from a left tibia fracture that's held him to only 28 games the past two seasons. He split 2014-15 with the Denver Nuggets and the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 4.6 points and 2.7 rebounds in 23 appearances. The Sixers bought him out after six games, after which he was not picked up by another team.

McGee signed a two-year contract with the Mavericks with a team option for the veteran's minimum this summer. He is expected to compete for playing time with Zaza Pachulia and Samuel Dalembert, who were both brought in after DeAndre Jordan spurned Dallas at the last minute.

“It’s definitely a positive thing, being a leaper as I am and a shot blocker and a dunker, so that’s definitely what teams need," McGee said recently, per Earl K. Sneed of Mavs.com. "I’m just somebody who keeps it simple, who dunks the ball, blocks shots and is just a presence in the paint. ... [Mavs coach Rick Carlisle] just wants me to keep it simple, and just play as hard as I can and be a presence in the paint.”

Despite his optimism, it's been a long time since McGee has been a valuable contributor at the NBA level. Even his last healthy season with Denver saw him play only 18.1 minutes per game as poor decision-making pushed him to reserve status. The fact that he's still dealing with a lingering leg issue has to be concerning for Mavs fans who hoped he'd finally start turning a corner.

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