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 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).
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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
