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NBA Free Agency: Pacific rival shows interest in Golden State Warriors’ champion

By Peter O'Keefe

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: JaVale McGee #1 of the Golden State Warriors of the Golden State Warriors talks to friends during the Golden State Warriors Victory Parade on June 12, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Golden State Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 to win the 2018 NBA Finals. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: JaVale McGee #1 of the Golden State Warriors of the Golden State Warriors talks to friends during the Golden State Warriors Victory Parade on June 12, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Golden State Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 to win the 2018 NBA Finals. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Former Golden State Warriors’ big man Javale McGee is set to become a free agent, with the Dallas Mavericks officially waiving the three-time NBA champion on Tuesday according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. 

Despite signing a three-year, $17.2 million contract with the Mavericks last offseason, McGee became a victim of lacklustre form in 2022-23 combined with Dallas’ offseason acquisitions of Richaun Holmes and Dereck Lively II.

The Sacramento Kings are eyeing Javale McGee once he clears waivers, with no signs of Golden State Warriors interest in bringing back the seven-foot big man.

Ironically, the Sacramento Kings have been the first team to have reported interest in the 35-year-old according to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes. The Kings sent Holmes to the Mavericks on draft night in a salary dumping move, giving up the rights to 24th overall pick Olivier-Maxence Prosper in the process.

Signing McGee would be a further fortification of the Kings’ center rotation heading into the new season. In the last few months they’ve renegotiated and extended All-Star Domantas Sabonis to a five-year, $217 million deal, re-signed Alex Len to a one-year, $3.02 million contract, and acquired former lottery pick Nerlens Noel to the same deal.

JaVale McGee of the Golden State Warriors and Skal Labissiere of the Sacramento Kings compete at the tip off to start a game at Golden 1 Center on March 31, 2018. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
JaVale McGee of the Golden State Warriors and Skal Labissiere of the Sacramento Kings compete at the tip off to start a game at Golden 1 Center on March 31, 2018. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Golden State could theoretically be interested in a reunion with McGee who played two seasons for the franchise between 2016 and 2018. The Warriors have two vacant roster spots and have a lack of genuine rim protection with no seven-footer a part of their current 13-man squad.

McGee made 142 appearances for Golden State, completely restoring his reputation that had dwindled over the earlier years of his career. He made nine starts during the Warriors’ successful 2018 playoff campaign, averaging 6.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 12.2 minutes per game.

Another pacific rival who could hold interest is the Los Angeles Lakers, with their center depth looking thin behind All-Star Anthony Davis and the recently acquired Jaxson Hayes. McGee also played two seasons with the Lakers, winning his third NBA championship with the franchise in 2020.

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McGee was largely left out of Jason Kidd’s rotation in Dallas after the early portion of last season, appearing in just 42 games and averaging career lows in points (4.4), rebounds (2.5), blocks (0.6) and minutes (8.5).

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