The Dallas Mavericks have signed their first player of the 2022 offseason, letting veteran NBA center JaVale McGee join the Mavericks on a three-year, $20 million deal. McGee last played for the Mavericks in the 2015-16 season, but struggled with injuries and left the team at the end of the season. Since then, he has won 3 championships with the Lakers and Warriors .
Despite losing Jalen Brunson early on, the Mavericks have not prioritized his replacement and are still filling out their frontcourt. Their lack of frontcourt depth cost them in the playoffs . McGee becomes the second center added by the Mavericks, who traded Christian Wood ahead of the 2022 NBA Draft.
McGee's contract is just shy of the full taxpayer mid-level exception because the Mavericks need the remaining money to sign Jaden Hardy to a long-term deal. McGee had a good season with the Phoenix Suns, averaging 9.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. The additions of
McGee and Wood both mean they will compete with Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell for playing time. While many Mavericks fans do like Kleber's three-point shooting style, Christian Wood's superior offensive skills may allow him to replace Kleber in the rotation.
McGee is a rim protector and a good lob threat alongside Luka , which means Dwight Powell will no longer be the starting center. There were rumors that Powell would make room for new players, but there was no official confirmation.
The Mavericks are also interested in acquiring Matisse Thybulle from the 76ers and are in the lottery for Kyrie Irving and/or Kevin Durant, though they may not have the picks to come Attracting the Nets to trade for one of these players, let alone two.
