JaVale McGee has shown flashes of becoming an impact player in the NBA. When the former No. 18 overall pick agreed to a buyout with the Sixers last spring, he failed to generate much interest as a free agent. His lack of development, along with his health concerns, were major reasons why teams weren’t champing at the bit to sign the center.
The Mavs finally signed McGee earlier this week. Dallas previously had serious concerns about the center’s health, but it has apparently cleared that hurdle, as the Mavs remain confident that his injured leg will heal in time for the 27-year-old to join the team in training camp.
McGee’s deal, which covers two seasons, is only guaranteed for $250K, with another $250K becoming guaranteed if he remains on the roster past September 29th. Dallas currently has 20 players under contract, as our Roster Counts page shows, but it needs to trim that down to 15 by opening night. The Mavs have 15 players with fully guaranteed deals on the roster and opening up a regular season roster spot for McGee will be especially difficult, as the team only has six players who are eligible to be traded prior to the season.
Dallas has shown a willingness to eat guaranteed money in the past, waiving Bernard James and Gal Mekel last fall despite their fully guaranteed salaries. Even if McGee makes the roster, he will face competition for minutes at the center spot. Samuel Dalembert and trade acquisition Zaza Pachulia are likely to see significant minutes. The team presumably will prioritize getting free agent signee Salah Mejri on the court to give the 2011 FIBA African Championship MVP a chance at locking down the team’s open starting center spot.
If McGee can defy the long odds of becoming the team’s starter at the five, or at least crack the rotation, he could put himself in great position to remain relevant in the NBA and potentially raise his stock for the summer of 2017, when he could become a 29-year-old free agent. Dallas is a franchise that has a history of rehabilitating player values, as I illustrated in the Free Agent Stock Watch of Wesley Matthews. The team employs Rick Carlisle, who is one of the best coaches in the league and has demonstrated he can get the most out of players.
So here’s the topic of the day: Will JaVale McGee make an impact on the Mavs? Can a good environment in Dallas rehabilitate his value? Will he even make the team?
Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions. We look forward to reading what you have to say.
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The Mavs put themselves into a good position. They signed 20 players to compete over 15 roster spots. For the players this mean you need to be real good at your position to make the final roster.
Dirk, Parsons, Matthews and D-Will are arguably the only players guaranteed to receive heavy minutes. The rest of the rotation will be sorted out as the Mavs go through training camp and begin the season.
Competition at nearly every spot in the line-up is what Pete Carroll installed at Seahawks camp when he entered the NFL. It worked out pretty well for them, hopefully Dallas has that sort of success over the next few years in the NBA.
I think JaVale will make the regular season roster, since Mark Cuban isn’t afraid to cut a fully guaranteed deal. But so much hinges on his relationship with Rick Carlisle, who, as we saw with Rondo last year, doesn’t always exhibit patience. I just don’t think JaVale will see a ton of minutes this year. I certainly don’t think he’ll start.
i think he’ll be what brandan wright was in dallas an athletic 5 that plas pick and roll
I think he’ll make it just because they don’t have much for centers. This team is going to have to start a rebuild. They’ll be in the lottery this year.
McGee probably makes the team but nothing more than a No. 3 option at center.
I think javale is gonna have a great season if he is healthy. Coach Carlisle is gonna help McGee along with everyone on the coaching staff and the organization. If McGee is healthy and plays smart he can be one of the best big men in the league. He has the potential of course, but we know how he is sometimes lol. I believe he will have a great season and will help the Mavs
Like my Sixers last year, acquiring Javale McGee means you are looking towards future seasons. His name will sell some tickets to the hopeful. Unlike the Sixers, Portland and Dallas are trying to make it at least look like they’re trying to win, more like the Lakers and Knicks last year.
I think Javale will not only make the roster but will be a solid nightly contributor. I would like to see the Mavs keep moving forward with the young guys. Keep Famous and Ndour and cut the older has wens and never was’a like Charlie V and Dalembert. Let’s go Mavs. I have high hopes for this year despite all of the naysayers.
In order for Dallas to really
Compete this year I’m banking on Cuban to make some sort of trade to put us in a better position to win now. It’s going to be hard to do that because of the money they’ve given to parsons and Matthews but we need more. Javale will be decent on defense but he isn’t the pick and roll expert Brandon night was. If things don’t change soon..7-8th seed/first round exit for sure.
I don’t believe 7-8th seed is a given for this team, but I agree that is the ceiling unless they have one or two players who truly break out and take their game to the next level (I’m looking at you Chandler Parsons!)