{"id":52722,"date":"2023-08-23T10:23:35","date_gmt":"2023-08-23T14:23:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=52722"},"modified":"2023-08-23T10:23:35","modified_gmt":"2023-08-23T14:23:35","slug":"nba-rumors-mavericks-to-waive-javale-mcgee-lakers-must-pursue-him","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/08\/23\/nba-rumors-mavericks-to-waive-javale-mcgee-lakers-must-pursue-him\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Rumors: Mavericks to Waive JaVale McGee; Lakers Must Pursue Him"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/teams\/DAL\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Dallas Mavericks<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will waive center <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcgeeja01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>JaVale McGee<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> while stretching out the remainder of his three-year, $17 million contract, according to Shams Charania.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The Dallas Mavericks are planning to stretch-and-waive center JaVale McGee and re-sign F\/C Markieff Morris on a deal, sources tell <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheAthletic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@TheAthletic<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Stadium?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@Stadium<\/a>. Mavs must execute stretch-and-waive by next week.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ShamsCharania\/status\/1694062596591137156?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 22, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Mavericks had previously hinted at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/07\/17\/nba-rumors-dallas-mavericks-still-in-market-for-center-insider-says-the-mavs-are-leveraging-hawks-for-clint-capela\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a shakeup in the middle<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and that plan is now in fruition with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/woodch01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Christian Wood<\/b><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/08\/20\/nba-rumors-bulls-productive-offseason-heat-not-interested-in-top-free-agent\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on the free-agent market<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and McGee set to join him. There\u2019s a certain team that McGee could turn to for his next opportunity\u2014a system and city he\u2019s familiar with.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>NBA Rumors: Mavericks to Waive JaVale McGee; Lakers Must Pursue Him<\/h2>\n<h3><b>Background<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A three-time NBA champion, the 35-year-old JaVale McGee has bounced around the league since his last title with the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/teams\/LAL\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Los Angeles Lakers<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. After contributing to the Purple and Gold\u2019s 2020 title run, McGee was traded (along with a 2026 second-round pick) to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/teams\/CLE\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Cleveland Cavaliers<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mckinal01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Alfonzo McKinnie<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/belljo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Jordan Bell<\/strong><\/a>. After playing 33 games in \u201cThe Land\u201d and averaging eight points and 5.2 rebounds a night, he was traded to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/teams\/DEN\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Denver Nuggets<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where he previously played from 2012 to 2015. His second stint in the Mile High City was decent. In 13 games and 13.5 minutes, McGee put up 5.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. He shot 63 percent from the field and 70 percent from the free-throw line.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After Denver, McGee signed with the Phoenix Suns in 2021 and played 74 games. He averaged a respectable 9.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game in 15 minutes of action a night. His past season with Dallas was less productive, however, mainly due to injuries. Over 42 games, McGee\u2019s averages dropped across the board: 4.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>McGee and Lakers Reunion?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At 35, McGee\u2019s next contract could be his last. His career is heading for the sunset after more than 15 years of service. With that in mind, a second stint with the Lakers could make the most sense for him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Purple and Gold are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/08\/22\/nba-rumors-exec-says-lakers-should-sign-blake-griffin\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">still looking for reinforcements at the five<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/07\/07\/nba-rumors-los-angeles-lakers-linked-to-christian-wood\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">have been linked<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to <\/span>Christian Wood <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for a while<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. However, if Wood finds a better opportunity elsewhere, then McGee makes for an ideal Lakers target.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">McGee had a career year for the Lakers in 2018-19. He appeared in 75 games (62 starts) and averaged 12 points and 7.5 rebounds. The following season came with adjustments, but McGee stayed ready. He started 68 games in the regular season and played efficiently in 16 minutes a night. He averaged 6.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in that span. The postseason was a different story for JaVale, with other opportunities going to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/davisan02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Anthony Davis<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/howardw01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Dwight Howard<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Still, McGee remained a true professional, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/RBly7s57tPc\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">playing solid in spot minutes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to help the Lakers against standout centers, and it clearly paid off.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fast forward three later, and the Lakers are trying to replicate the winning formula. Who better to help them out than McGee? Despite his age and injuries, he can still produce when called upon. McGee recorded a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/voFgFojdqH4\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">season-high 18 points<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 17 minutes off the bench against the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/teams\/CHI\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Chicago Bulls<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014a bright spot in a 29-point loss. He also put up <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/vVKq8VkJcmw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11 points and nine rebounds<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in a win over the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/teams\/SAC\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Sacramento Kings<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in February.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ocregister.com\/2020\/03\/09\/lakers-javale-mcgee-draws-inspiration-from-his-moms-trailblazing-usc-career\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">McGee has family ties to LA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. His mother, Pamela, had a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wbhof.com\/famers\/pamela-mcgee\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hall-of-Fame career with USC basketball<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014winning two NCAA titles in 1983 and \u201884\u2014and played for the LA Sparks in 1998.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The Last Word<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JaVale McGee&#8217;s market is currently unknown as roster spots continue to disappear. However, the Lakers are certainly a viable option for him. He\u2019s familiar with Davis and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jamesle01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>LeBron James<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, could have the same role he had in 2020, and would serve as a great mentor to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hayesja02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Jaxson Hayes<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The team should be expressing interest in a reunion if they want their backup big man problem to end finally.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Dallas Mavericks will waive center JaVale McGee while stretching out the remainder of his three-year, $17 million contract, according to Shams Charania. The Dallas Mavericks are planning to stretch-and-waive center JaVale McGee and re-sign F\/C Markieff Morris on a deal, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Mavs must execute stretch-and-waive by next week. &mdash; Shams Charania [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4265,"featured_media":52724,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,30,26,62],"tags":[4964,601,202,4774],"class_list":["post-52722","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-mavericks","category-lakers","category-nba","tag-2023-nba-free-agents","tag-javale-mcgee","tag-nba-news","tag-rumors"],"modified_by":"Reese Kunz","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52722","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4265"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52722"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52722\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/52724"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52722"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52722"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52722"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}