6:29pm: McGee threw the idea of a buyout into question as he spoke before this evening’s game, saying he preferred to remain with Philadelphia, as Pompey relays in a full story. “I hope it’s false,” McGee said of Stein’s report. “But you never know, though. You hear stories all the time. I didn’t hear anything about coming to Philly. So you never know.” In any case, a buyout is unlikely, a source tells Stein, who hears that while McGee’s reps continue to talk with the team, a buyout is contingent upon the center’s camp identifying a suitor for him if he were to hit free agency (Twitter links). However, the B.J. Armstrong client cast doubt on the idea that anyone is gauging interest from other teams for him.
“Not on my part, it’s not true,” McGee said, according to Pompey. “They might be talking to somebody. But the people I talked to, I haven’t [heard anything]. And I know nothing about it.”
12:23pm: The Sixers and center JaVale McGee are having buyout discussions with an important deadline looming at midnight, tweets Marc Stein of ESPN. Players must hit waivers by midnight today to be eligible for this year’s playoffs with their new teams.
McGee was acquired last month in a deadline-day deal from the Nuggets along with the Thunder’s 2015 first-round pick and the rights to Nigerian forward Chu Chu Maduabum in exchange for the rights to Cenk Akyol.
Sixers coach Brett Brown defended McGee’s performance in Philadelphia, according to a series of tweets by Keith Pompey of The Inquirer. “He’s kind of maligned in some ways to me where, you know, people view him in a certain way. He’s been a great teammate,” Brown said (Twitter link). “It’s not like I’m starting him. It’s not like I’m giving him 25 minutes. (Twitter link). I can’t ask for any more in regards to how he’s fit in, and how he’s just been extremely receptive and coachable.” (Twitter link).
Javale also said on NBA radio the other day that he isnt seeking a buyout. He mentioned that at his young age, he just wants to play basketball, rather than look to latch on to a contending team where he wont play.