JaVale McGee sat in the Sixers’ locker room, dressed in Philadelphia basketball gear while munching on baked chicken and green beans.
Having just arrived in town Friday after the Sixers agreed with Denver to take on his $12 million salary as long as the Nuggets threw in a first-round pick, McGee was looking for some quick fuel after a long two days.
After all, McGee had to get ready to play a basketball game for his new team Friday night.
“Crazy, huh?” McGee said when he affirmed that he was ready to play for the Sixers on Friday night.
Crazy doesn’t begin to explain it.
McGee, the wildly talented 7-footer, expected to be traded at Thursday’s deadline, but wasn’t sure where he would land. When he learned it was the Sixers who acquired him, McGee wasn’t upset. He also shrugged off the notion that the Sixers would waive or buy him out after the trade.
A buyout, McGee, said, is "not positive." After all, the Sixers present opportunities for guys who have been around the league, too.
NBA
"This might be a blessing in disguise," McGee said.
“Denver wasn't contending for anything either. I would be hot if I was traded by a team headed to the playoffs though."
McGee missed all but five games for Denver last year with a stress fracture in his leg. That injury also put him on the shelf for all but 17 games this season, too. McGee also suffers from asthma, which made playing home games at altitude in Denver a bit difficult.
“I’m not gonna lie,” McGee said about being traded to a team at sea level, “It feels pretty good.”
When he was able to get on the court this season, McGee averaged 11 minutes and 5.2 points with 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. With the Sixers, McGee hopes to bring a bit more than numbers to the table. After all, when he came up with the Washington Wizards the team was rebuilding, too.
In his three full seasons with the Wizards the team never won more than 26 games.
“I’ve been in the same situation they’ve been in,” McGee said about his new teammates. “When I was young with the Wizards we went through tough times. My [second year] in the league we won 19 games. I’ve been there, so I want to get these young guys' heads in it so they can stay positive and keep playing hard and learning how to win instead of just playing basketball.”