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Mailbag: JaVale McGee a mid-season target for Portland?

By David MacKay

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JaVale McGee is the most interesting big man on the open market right now. The Philadelphia 76ers acquired him from the Denver Nuggets at the trade deadline and waived him just ahead of Sunday’s playoff-eligibility deadline. As a free agent, he is anticipated to draw interest from several championship hopefuls, such as the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, and (with more skepticism on my part) the San Antonio Spurs.

So should the Portland Trail Blazers join pursuit?

In trading Thomas Robinson, Will Barton, Victor Claver, and a draft pick for Arron Afflalo and Alonzo Gee at the deadline, the Trail Blazers were able to open a roster spot that was previously unavailable. At the time, they were rumored to have interest in signing a bought-out Tayshaun Prince before the Boston Celtics reneged on the buyout and instead traded him to the Detroit Pistons. This tells us that the Trail Blazers could be prepared to sign another player if that player is the right fit.

McGee probably isn’t the right fit, but, then again, if he were the right fit anywhere he wouldn’t be floating around the league in his seventh NBA season. If you sift deeply enough through your Google search results, you can find multiple articles from multiple years, each entitled: “Time for JaVale McGee to get serious,” none of which are wrong. The Shaqtin’ a Fool king possesses tremendous natural ability, but his dedication to self improvement is regularly in question.

Feb 25, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center JaVale McGee (1) reacts to a call during the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

On top of the uncertainty surrounding his commitment, he has played just 28 games in the last two seasons due to multiple, serious injuries. He was supposed to turn a corner when he joined the Nuggets in 2012, but we really only got to see him for one season before he was sidelined. That first year of his 4 yr/$44M contract, he averaged 9.1 points and 4.8 rebounds off the bench.

Now, playing McGee off the bench was a decision made by then Head Coach George Karl, who, despite being named Coach of the Year that season, was fired in part because he wasted such a hefty investment. We won’t get into that too much, since it was years ago, but it brings us to an important, lesser-known point.

One of the reasons McGee did not start in the Mile High city is because he has Asthma. That’s a problem at an altitude of 5,280 feet. He is a gifted guy that was in a bad situation that only got worse as management, and his body alike, crumbled. This is why teams aren’t immediately disregarding him as an option. Why not roll the dice on a possibly misunderstood, healthy, high-upside (in a minimal role) 7-footer with a 7’6.5” wingspan? He can still run up and down the court for up to 20 minutes a game.

In the Trail Blazers’ case, I am inclined to think a dice roll is unnecessary. With Joel Freeland now back from injury, Portland has three or four contributing centers depending on how you count emerging hybrid Meyers Leonard. The only reason they would take a risk is if it came from a place of necessity that is currently alien to them; especially since the front office has been preaching team chemistry like they found the words etched into a stone tablet on a mountain somewhere.

I don’t think McGee would make the Trail Blazers worse, but I can’t honestly say he would make them any better at first glance. From a minutes standpoint alone, it is difficult to see where he could have a measurable impact. Would anyone rather give playing time to McGee over Chris Kaman? Freeland? Leonard? If your gut reaction was “no,” Head Coach Terry Stotts would probably arrive at the same conclusion.

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It will be interesting to see where he lands, but it probably won’t be here. I suspect that the Chris Bosh-less Heat will make a bid, while the Dwight Howard-less Rockets do the same. Let whoever holds interest fight over McGee’s services; the Trail Blazers are better off focusing on preparing their squad for a playoff run from within. Still, look to see who makes the first move when McGee clears waivers. He could strengthen a rival team under the right circumstances.

Next: Lillard named Western Conference Player of the Week