Rumor: JaVale McGee Seeks Buyout; Cavs Miss Out?
There are new rumors that JaVale McGee is looking to get bought out from his contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. When he was first traded there from the Denver Nuggets he reportedly had no interest in a buyout but has seemed to change his mind. ESPN reported it this way:
"Sources told ESPN.com that McGee, after initially saying upon being dealt to the Sixers that he did not want a buyout, has his representatives on the hunt for a team interested in signing the 7-footer once he clears waivers before signing off on a buyout.McGee would have to be waived by Philadelphia by midnight Sunday to be eligible to play in the 2015 playoffs with another team. But his willingness to surrender salary — with a guaranteed $12 million scheduled to come his way next season as well as the rest of this season’s $11.25 million — will almost certainly depend on what sort of deal can be had with a new team once the 27-year-old becomes a free agent."
So McGee has his agents looking for a team that might be interested in a 7 foot, shot blocking interior presence. You can put almost every teams name on that list but could the Cleveland Cavaliers have missed out on the perfect backup center for them?
The Cavs were reported to have some interest in McGee if he were bought out shortly after the NBA Trade Deadline. When McGee made it known that he didn’t want to take a buyout, the Cavs and other teams moved on. The Cavs filled their open roster spot with Kendrick Perkins. Perkins is a veteran with playoff experience but will provide the Cavs with little more than physical play, 6 fouls and a few rebounds on the floor.
McGee would provide much more for the Cavs as they look to fight for an NBA Title. His length and block to block quickness has made him a good weakside rim protector. He and Cavs starting big man Timofey Mozgov played together this year in Denver and would be a good combination on the backend for the Cavs. The reality is that the Cavs would have a difficult time opening a roster spot for a 4th center, with Mozgov, Perkins and Brendan Haywood already on the team.
Haywood’s contract is valuable in the off-season so he likely stays. Joe Harris is a shooter they want to keep around, and who would be snatched up by a number of teams if waived. Mike Miller and James Jones have struggled this season but they are both close with LeBron and provide insurance in case Shawn Marion can not return to form. Matthew Dellavedova is the Cavs only backup point guard.
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The idea of cutting Perkins after signing him seems interesting but also unlikely. He chose the Cavs over the Clippers to play with LeBron James. The Cavs have committed to him and are unlikely to back out on that commitment. There is also that little detail about who would actually tell Perkins that he was cut after only being with the team for a little bit? I’d be a little scared to do it myself.
It is possible that the Cavs will be able to get creative while still appeasing everyone. That would likely mean Harris is cut but maybe the Cavs can figure something else out. For now we assume JaVale McGee is going somewhere else, to a Cavs competitor either in the East or come the NBA Finals. We blame McGee for delaying his decision, which is pretty appropriate given his strange history.
Do you think the Cavs should figure out how to acquire JaVale McGee?