JaVale McGee’s second stint with the Dallas Mavericks has come to an end. This is following reports on Tuesday that the Mavs have decided to waive the services of the three-time NBA champion big man. Dallas was reportedly unable to find a trade partner for McGee, which led to their decision to cut ties with the veteran center.
Mavs Waive JaVale McGee, Kings ‘Have Interest’
NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic broke the news on Twitter:
“The Dallas Mavericks have waived center JaVale McGee, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. McGee will be free to sign with a new team once he clears waivers,” Shamd wrote.
After singing with the Mavs last summer as a free agent, McGee averaged just 8.5 minutes per game in 42 appearances for Dallas. McGee put pen to paper on a three-year deal last summer worth $17 million, but with the Mavs adamant about getting him off their books now, the front office decided to just waive his contract.
In a separate report, Chris Haynes of TNT and Bleacher Report indicated that the Sacramento Kings could be in the mix for McGee now that he is without a team:
“Sacramento Kings have interest in signing the two-time NBA champ JaVale McGee upon him clearing waivers, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport,” Haynes reported.
McGee isn’t a star, but he could potentially fit in well with Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis-led frontcourt, especially if they are able to get him on a veteran’s minimum salary. Then again, there appears to be a log jam in the Kings’ center rotation with Alex Len, Nerlens Noel, Neemias Queta, and Trey Lyles all in the mix.
JaVale McGee is the embodiment of your modern-day NBA journeyman. The 35-year-old, who has won two championship rings with the Golden State Warriors and one with the Los Angeles Lakers, will now be looking to join his ninth team in the league over the course of his (incoming)16-year career.
