PHOENIX SUNS

Phoenix Suns officially sign center JaVale McGee

Aug 16, 2021, 1:43 PM

JaVale McGee #11 of the United States is introduced before an exhibition game against Spain at Mich...

JaVale McGee #11 of the United States is introduced before an exhibition game against Spain at Michelob ULTRA Arena ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games on July 18, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The United States defeated Spain 83-76. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The Phoenix Suns have signed free-agent center JaVale McGee, the team announced on Monday.

McGee, 33, agreed to a one-year deal worth $5 million with the Suns on Aug. 2, according to Yahoo! Sports’ Chris Haynes.

The veteran center just recently got back to the United States after winning a gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics as a part of Team USA men’s basketball.

The first-round pick by the Washington Wizards in the 2008 NBA Draft has reinvented himself in the past few years as a solid, reliable backup center. He has won three NBA championships in the last five years, two with the Golden State Warriors (2017-18) and one as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers (2020).

McGee fills a need at backup center for the Suns, one that was made even more glaring after Dario Saric tore his ACL in the NBA Finals. Saric is expected to miss the majority of the season. Frank Kaminsky was re-signed by the team and 2020 first-round pick Jalen Smith could also factor into the rotation as well.

With the official addition of McGee, the Suns’ roster currently stands at 15 players. Phoenix has one open roster spot, as well as a two-way position.

PG: Chris Paul, Cam Payne, Elfrid Payton

SG: Devin Booker, Landry Shamet, Ty-Shon Alexander (two-way)

SF: Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Abdel Nader

PF: Jae Crowder, Jalen Smith, Dario Saric (injured)

C: Deandre Ayton, JaVale McGee, Frank Kaminsky

Phoenix Suns

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

5 hours ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

9 hours ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

13 hours ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: How the Suns lost to the Spurs before they stepped on the court

Burns & Gambo react to the Phoenix Suns stunning loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and try to figure out why it happened.

2 days ago

Phoenix Suns officially sign center JaVale McGee