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

[mvossman]

True. 

The only justifications I can think of 

1) Mavs didn't really value what JB brought, and figured whatever he did could be replaced easily by THJ and/or a FA. 
2) Mavs really thought that JB could come back, and thus filled out the other areas first.
3) Mavs already have a backup plan that's been put on hold because the rest of the league is waiting for KD/Kyrie. 

Case 1, I find idiotic and a huge risk. Remains to be seen if what JB brought is replaceable. 
Case 2, just shows Cuban/our FO hasn't changed and they're buffoons until the end of time. Heck the way they mismanaged JB still qualifies them for that title. 
Case 3, remains to be seen.

My thought is that it is case 3, but the backup trade plan will blow up in their faces and they will have to scramble finding whatever they can in the remaining retched dregs of the vet min pool.