The Los Angeles Lakers continued their wild day of free agency by signing center JaVale McGee to a one-year deal.
After making their big splash in free agency by signing LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers have started to build there roster around him nicely. With a need at the center position, the Lakers signed JaVale McGee to a one-year minimum deal.
McGee has been on the Golden State Warriors the past two seasons, and while he didn’t play a lot, he was effective when on the court. With the NBA changing, big centers like McGee don’t play as much as they used to, as he isn’t able to stretch the floor, and isn’t dominant offensively.
However, against certain teams that do have talented big men, the Warriors would use McGee to go against them. With his great size and speed, McGee is a good defender and rim protector when he is called upon.
For the Lakers, getting McGee on the minimum is certainly a good deal, as he could be their starting center next season.
The salary for JaVale McGee on a one-year contract in Los Angeles is $2.4M. The Lakers will incur a $1.5M cap hit because of the veteran exception rule.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 2, 2018
Like with the Warriors, McGee might be a starter at times, but he likely won’t log a ton of minutes for the Lakers either. In 9.5 minutes per game last season, McGee was able to average 4.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per game.
With McGee signing, the Lakers should be set at center, but it is also a clear indicator that Brook Lopez will not be back. Despite a strong second half of the season, the Lakers decided to go in a different direction from Lopez. While McGee won’t play nearly as much as Lopez, signing him will allow Randle to play more minutes at center in the small-ball lineup, assuming he is back.
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While the McGee signing is a minor one, he will provide the Lakers with a player that be valuable against certain teams. Overall, the McGee signing is certainly a solid one for the Lakers.