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

[Bayliss]

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?

If he was young, I wouldn't care.  Sign Bamba in that role, and I am fine with the signing even though Mcgee is the better player at the moment.  But the Mavs need some players that have some upside that they can pair with Luka and grow with Luka.  McGee is not that.  He never will be.

And I'm not sure the Mavs are capable of finding that youthful upside to pair with Luka.  Wood could fit that mold because he will be 27 at the start of next season.  Is he the only Mav that fits that mold.  And he has huge question marks and not a ton more upside (IMO).  He is entering his 7th year in the league and that doesn't include a year he wasn't in the league in that span. 

 Dimwiddie?  He is 29 and entering his 9th year in the league.  He is what he is at this point.  And he is a good player in spurts....  

So it is disappointing to me.  And losing Brunson (who had flaws) for nothing certainly didn't help that youthful upside one bit.