At 36, Kings center JaVale McGee is one of the NBA’s oldest players, but he doesn’t feel like he’s close to the end of his career, writes Marcus D. Smith of The Sacramento Bee. McGee, a first-round pick in the 2008 draft, just wrapped up his 16th season. He’s played for nine teams and won three titles, but there’s a lot he still wants to accomplish, including joining a select list of players who’ve spent two decades in the league.
“Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar) played 20 years also and (he) played at a very high level for 20 years,” McGee said. “This is before you had a (physical therapist) for every player and the ACL surgery that you can come back from in six months, you know what I’m saying? So there’s a lot of progress and a lot of things in the world now where it’s easier. I don’t say it’s easy, but it’s easier to last that long, so I definitely think it’s possible.”
McGee will be an unrestricted free agent after signing a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal with the Kings last summer. He hopes to stay in Sacramento, a city where he spent part of his childhood when his mother played for the WNBA’s Monarchs, and he wants to help the Kings get back to the playoffs after being eliminated in this year’s play-in tournament. He talked about the team’s chances, saying it will be vital to re-sign free agent guard Malik Monk and make a few other roster additions.
“Definitely getting Malik back is important,” McGee said. “… Getting some more dogs on the team is really important also. I feel like the squad is well put together. We just need to make sure everybody’s on the same page.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- As expected, J.J. Redick had a formal interview with the Lakers on Saturday to discuss their head coaching job, sources tell Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times (subscription required). Multiple members of the organization reportedly talked with Redick, including general manager Rob Pelinka and owner Jeanie Buss.
- Heading into free agency, longtime Warriors guard Klay Thompson has stopped following the team’s Instagram account, according to Sam Gordon of The San Francisco Chronicle. Gordon points out that unfollowing social media accounts is becoming a common practice for NBA players during negotiations, so it may not be a sign that Thompson intends to leave the Bay Area. However, he reportedly turned down a two-year, $48MM offer before the start of the season, and several suitors figure to be waiting if he can’t reach a new agreement before June 30.
- Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports examines opportunities the Suns might have to trade up or down in the draft. Bourguet notes that past deals have gutted the team’s supply of draft assets to the point that it only controls the 22nd pick this year and its first-rounder in 2031. He identifies the Pacers, Bucks, Timberwolves, Knicks, Jazz and Wizards as potential trading partners if Phoenix wants to move down, while the Spurs’ pick at No. 8 and the Trail Blazers’ selection at No. 14 could entice the Suns to trade up.
McGee is talking more sense than half the people on here. It is definitely easy in today’s world. It’s a baby feelings world
People presume JaVale is dumb because of shacktin’ a fool clips. But the guys deep
And a visual artist
It’s so annoying as a Warriors fan, JaVale was the answer back then to the tune of a ring, but he always was the perfect big man to have off the bench….but he hates Kerr I think and will never play for us again…sad…
I mean the Shaqtin a Fool clips were a good 10years ago maybe further. I think all of those were from his Wizard days. The team sucked and he just happen to be a contributor.
Klay walks and
Dray gets flipped
Warriors done ?
Only in your dreams. Warriors match Thompson’s best offer and stays.
@arc89 sorry but that’s delusional, GSW isnt giving Klay $35M a year, he’s not even worth it anymore now his defense isn’t elite. I would rather let him walk and sign a big instead.
So critical of the Lakers eh?
Warriors will never be done as long as Steph is there. Did you not pay attention to how well GSW have drafted recently? Kuminga, Moody, TJD and Podz are all home grown and cheap and good players to have on the team. Not to mention they have the firepower to trade up in this years draft if they want to.
Dray is 100% staying, no idea where you got that from? It’s CP3, Wiggins, GP2 and Klay who are likely gone, but if they are, then that means GSW has money to spend on a superstar like PG, and if GSW adds a couple good players to Steph and the revitalized Dray (who had his best season since 2016 last year) then it’s goodnight for the rest of the league and another chip.
Wiggins is under contract…who are they going to fool into trading for him without taking players back?
GP has a player option.
They can’t sign PG or any good players because they are over the cap.
The Warriors dynasty is OVER.
Yes Klay walks.., and we WANT him to walk. It’s been great but he can’t be counted on to make a jump shot in the playoffs.
And he’ll continue to jack it up with no regard or thinking about what the hell is going on out there.
When they used to go in it was great but those days are over.
I wouldn’t pay Klay 3.5 let alone 35 after this spoiled brat act. Enjoy Orlando, Klay. Have some Cocoa and a binky on the plane. I feel bad for his Dad. He didn’t raise an adult toddler.
Best thing that can happen to Suns. Is Collier is there when they choose. They should be looking for a pass first PG.
He’s the Shaq’tin a Fool King.
Warriors fans deluded
Light the Beam!
The only light you’ll see is the glitter off of four championship rings the last few years.
But there’s hope. The tides are turning and perhaps the Kings will now be the team to win championships and the Warriors will struggle to find their way.
All players think they got something left. Barkley said that when he signed his last contract, he was done. Said his mind thought it could, but the body said otherwise. Father Time always wins.
I don’t know one person that likes Klay Thompson.
Count me as one. I love Klay Thompson.
Without him there’s no rings. He played the defense necessary to run alongside Steph curry. He provided the outside shooting to give Steph Curry space.
He never complained and outside his 2 freak injuries he was very durable. He took less money to stay with the Warriors a few years ago and so did Draymond Green 17 mil, while Harrison Barnes said no thanks and walked 25 mil Dallas.
Definitely count me as one person who loves Klay Thompson. Amazing iconic stud from this championship era.