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

[F Gump]

My concern is McGee's lack of ability to stay on the court during the playoffs.  If he gets run off the court in the playoffs, he is not really filling that need.

This works from the idea that a successful signing with McGee means he plays long minutes. I seriously doubt that's what was in mind.

I bet his planned role is about 15 mpg during the season to bang/defend with the big boys so that Wood-Kleber don't get run down, and less in the playoffs where the tendency is smaller ball. They need that big guy, who can wrestle, rebound, defend, bock some shots -- but no expectation they will need him a lot.

In fact, their preference will be for the other team to go smaller, which takes McGee off the floor, but which plays right into the Mavs wheelhouse.

As for why they filled this hole with the MLE rather than get an offense creator to replace Brunson with the MLE, there's no way they had that choice. Brunson clones are not available for 6M. Other than centers, it's going to be very unusual to find players who might make your playoff rotation at all in that price range. (I still think they screwed the pooch by turning down Dragic, who was an ideal opportunity for dirt cheap and surprisingly affordable, but we'll see if they have something better lined up. I have my doubts.)