Would JaVale McGee be a Short-Term Answer for the Boston Celtics?
Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
One of the Boston Celtics biggest problems aside from not being able to find someone to go score the ball late in games, is not having a legitimate interior player, considering Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk, and Brandon Bass tend to settle for mid-range shots.
The obvious answer would be to add a Roy Hibbert, DeAndre Jordan or Al Horford presence, but with a market where it isn’t that easy to acquire interior players of that caliber, who could be a great short-term answer for the Celtics?
It’s a question that many Boston fans, Danny Ainge, and everyone else should be asking.
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My answer is JaVale McGee. Yes, I said JaVale McGee, the man who is 7-feet tall and gifted with athleticism. The man who was once praised for his limitless potential. The man whose decision making on the court seems to be questioned more than applauded.
Although some may question him as a player, for the Celtics, he could be as valuable as bringing in one of the bigger name centers. JaVale would provide Rajon Rondo someone he can run a pick-and-roll. He’s a guy who can actually have a higher field goal percentage in the paint using his athletic ability.
Yes Sullinger, and the other bigs can be great in the paint, but nothing is a higher-percentage shot than a dunk. He would be the purest center on the Celtics roster. Short term, McGee and Boston, could be a win-win situation allowing Rondo to thrive off a true center type teammate.
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It would also give the Celtics a man who can get rebounds and easy buckets at the rim, not mention Rondo’s assist average would raise with more fast break and lobs to McGee.
What would it cost the Celtics to get McGee would be the next question right?
Well in my book Gerald Wallace and a 1st round pick, preferably the Clippers pick, should get the deal done. But considering McGee trade rumors have been linked to other teams like the Cavaliers, the Nuggets would likely sell high. In that case the C’s would likely have to trade either Marcus Thornton or Brandon Bass, and there expiring contacts with Vitor Faverani. Either way it would definitely be worth it for Ainge to pursue.