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Free-agent center JaVale McGee and the Los Angeles Lakers reportedly agreed to terms Sunday on a one-year deal for the veteran's minimum, ESPN's Chris Haynes reported.
McGee is the third free-agent addition for the Lakers this offseason. Klutch Sports Group confirmed LeBron James agreed to a four-year, $154 million deal, while Yahoo Sports' Shams Charania reported Lance Stephenson agreed to sign as well. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will also return to Los Angeles, according to Haynes.
McGee spent the last two seasons serving as an ancillary option at center with the Golden State Warriors. During that stretch, he averaged 5.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 9.5 minutes per game.
He also chipped in averages of 6.2 points and 3.1 rebounds across 29 total postseason appearances as the Warriors ripped off back-to-back titles.
While those contributions largely flew under the radar, head coach Steve Kerr praised McGee and tried to dispel the notion that he was something of a bumbling big man despite his status as a "Shaqtin' A Fool" staple.
"He's one of the smartest guys I've been around," Kerr told the Washington Post's Adam Kilgore in March 2017. "He's a techie. He's got his drones. He's always up to date on every new technological advancement. He's got funny stories. The team loves him. The coaching staff loves him. Sometimes this league is about opportunity and who you're playing with."
McGee will now bring his championship pedigree to Los Angeles, where he figures to occupy a role similar to the one he played in the Bay Area. In the months ahead, look for McGee to provide some supplemental bounce as a dive man, lob partner and shot-blocker in a revamped Lakers frontcourt.
Shortly after news broke that LeBron James and then Lance Stephenson (?!?) would sign with the L.A. Lakers, Chris Haynes of ESPN announced that JaVale McGee would be headed down south as well.
Haynes reports that it’s a one-year deal for the minimum, which is also surprising given that McGee reportedly had interest in re-joining the Golden State Warriors for a chance at his third straight NBA championship ring — as Brady Klopfer wrote earlier this weekend, “It would seem the Warriors have the clear leg up in the competition...smart money would say that McGee and the Warriors reach a deal.” If he did leave, the safer assumption was that he’d leave for more years and/or money than a one-year minimum deal.
Sources: It’s a one-year, minimum deal to pry away the big man from Golden State. https://t.co/TU3NHrJ6Ri — Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 2, 2018
Nevertheless, this isn’t a huge blow for the Warriors — despite McGee’s solid play at times during the Warriors’ most recent playoff run, Jordan Bell is expected to take a step forward, and Damian Jones is something of an x-factor who the Warriors are expecting to take more minutes after spending two years developing in the G-League. Free agent Kevon Looney took major strides this season and the Warriors hope to bring him back. And, of course, Draymond Green spent significant minutes at the five during the playoff run. It’s easy to speculate that all that rising young talent contributed to McGee’s decision to leave.
If the Warriors are going to play Damian Jones this season -- and they really mean to play Damian Jones -- then the most JaVale McGee would've been on this roster was injury insurance. They've done that enough at that position. — Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) July 2, 2018
McGee, who had become one of the more memorable personalities during this championship run, will certainly be missed by fans, but the team will move on. As Tim Kawakami of The Athletic has tweeted, this move won’t change the Warriors’ approach to the offseason in any significant way.
JaVale McGee staying or going had nothing to do with anything the Warriors might do this summer. https://t.co/cXDW7OBfWW — Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) July 2, 2018
For a Lakers team that has catapulted itself back into relevance on the first day of free agency, the addition of McGee makes for a very ...interesting... cast of characters. In addition to James, Stephenson, and McGee they will have Lonzo and LaVar Ball.
LaVar Ball and Lance Stephenson and LeBron James. OK. — Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) July 2, 2018
JaVale McGee agrees to sign with Lakers
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Photo: Jessica Christian / The Chronicle Image 1 of / 42 Caption Close Image 1 of 42 Buy photo The Golden State Warriors' JaVale McGee arrives with his team from Cleveland, Ohio at Landmark Aviation in Oakland, Calif. Saturday, June 9, 2018. after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. The Golden State Warriors' JaVale McGee arrives with his team from Cleveland, Ohio at Landmark Aviation in Oakland, Calif. Saturday, June 9, 2018. after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. Photo: Jessica Christian / The Chronicle Buy this photo Image 2 of 42 JaVale McGee, right, started all five games against the Spurs. He made 64.3 percent of his shots (18 of 28) and averaged 5.3 points. JaVale McGee, right, started all five games against the Spurs. He made 64.3 percent of his shots (18 of 28) and averaged 5.3 points. Photo: Ben Margot / Associated Press Image 3 of 42 JaVale McGee celebrates with Warriors fans during the Warriors Championship Parade in downtown Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, June 12, 2018. JaVale McGee celebrates with Warriors fans during the Warriors Championship Parade in downtown Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, June 12, 2018. Photo: Mason Trinca / Special To The Chronicle Image 4 of 42 Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 5 of 42 Image 6 of 42 Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 7 of 42 Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 8 of 42 Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 9 of 42 Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 10 of 42 Image 11 of 42 Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 12 of 42 Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 13 of 42 Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 14 of 42 Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 15 of 42 Image 16 of 42 Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 17 of 42 Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 18 of 42 Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 19 of 42 Sports fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 20 of 42 Image 21 of 42 Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 22 of 42 Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 23 of 42 Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 24 of 42 Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 25 of 42 Image 26 of 42 Sports fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 27 of 42 Sports fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 28 of 42 Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 29 of 42 Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 30 of 42 Image 31 of 42 Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 32 of 42 Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 33 of 42 Sports fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 34 of 42 Sports fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 35 of 42 Image 36 of 42 Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 37 of 42 Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports figures and fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 38 of 42 Sports fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 39 of 42 Sports fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 40 of 42 Image 41 of 42 Sports fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports fans react to the news that LeBron James signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Twitter Screenshot Image 42 of 42 JaVale McGee agrees to sign with Lakers 1 / 42 Back to Gallery
Free-agent center JaVale McGee has reached an agreement on a contract with the Lakers, according to an ESPN report.
McGee, 30, chose the Lakers over reported interest from the Warriors, Thunder and Pelicans. McGee, who averaged 4.8 points and 2.6 rebounds per game this past season, probably couldn’t command more from Golden State than the veteran minimum. It is unclear the parameters of his deal with the Lakers, who sent shockwaves through the NBA earlier Sunday by signing LeBron James to a four-year, $154 million deal.
Much of this past season, when his playing time was sparse, McGee stayed late after Warriors practice for games of 3-on-3, worked on defending guards and forwards, and trusted that his patience would be rewarded with more minutes. After his only action in the seven-game Western Conference finals against Houston came late in a 41-point win, he stayed ready, playing a key role in Golden State's NBA Finals sweep of Cleveland.
In Game 2 of the Finals, McGee went 6-for-6 from the field on five dunks and a hook shot. Three nights later, he did more of the same in Game 3, needing only 14 minutes to chip in 10 points on 5-for-7 shooting.
McGee, who became an unrestricted free agent Saturday night, has said that he'd love to return to Golden State. But given how the league is trending, the Warriors probably don’t need more than one or two prototypical centers. And any minutes McGee would have gotten are minutes that wouldn’t have been used developing Damian Jones, who is primed for a shot at the rotation after two seasons in the G League.
Connor Letourneau is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cletourneau@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Con_Chron
Veteran center JaVale McGee will be joining the Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN's Chris Haynes reports.
Sources: It’s a one-year, minimum deal to pry away the big man from Golden State. https://t.co/TU3NHrJ6Ri — Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 2, 2018
McGee's agreement was part of a furious evening of activity with the Lakers, who previously came to terms with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Lance Stephenson and, of course, LeBron James.
McGee is coming off two productive seasons with the Warriors, averaging 6.1 and 4.8 points per game while helping them win successive championships.
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