FA: JaVale McGee 3yrs/$17.2M to DAL | will indeed start at center

[cow]

I don't understand all the complaints about McGee based on him only being a 15-20 mpg player. They didn't need or have room for a 30 mpg big man, with both Wood and Kleber already here and expected to split the C minutes.

The Mavs had a need for a part-timer who will play limited minutes when they need a more traditional big, who will be ready in case of injury or sickness or foul trouble , and who won't make waves -- which, in fact, is exactly what McGee has been and has excelled at in recent years.

We wanted to solve that problem area (or a different one) with the MLE asset, and they got it done. One problem solved, for less than the MLE (enough less to slide Hardy into a more team-friendly deal).

Not sure how the "starter" thing will play out -- but maybe it will be like D Steve years ago, who started and added some early physicality to set a tone?

I drove the McGee bandwagon so I obviously love the player.  I don't really like the contract, specifically the years, but I think we just need to come to the conclusion that to get any free agent, Mavs are going to need to overpay.