Could the highly entertaining and somewhat successful (surprisingly) experiment between JaVale McGee and the Golden State Warriors be nearing an end?
McGee was given an opportunity to revive his NBA career last season by filling what was at the time a much-needed role as a rim protector for a Warriors team lacking size and length at the center position.
Because of McGee’s struggles with adapting to an NBA offense or defense, the team’s dependance on him was still limited in the Warriors biggest moments of their championship run last season and the Warriors added a much younger, more active and probably more capable defender and shot blocker (although much smaller) in the NBA Draft in Jordan Bell this off-season, which makes McGee’s necessity tenuous as best.
Because of this, the Warriors are apparently open to dealing the Shaq’tin A Fool first-ballot hall of famer.
Here is a report from Marcus Thompson of The Athletic:
“Multiple sources confirmed the Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks have discussed a trade. Nothing is imminent, but the Bucks are on the market for a center and the Warriors are overstocked. The on-and-off conversations between the teams have included the Bucks inquiring about [Zaza] Pachulia and [JaVale] McGee. No doubt, they’ve asked about [Jordan] Bell but that conversation ended quickly.”
Whether these talks actually manifest into anything is another matter, it confirms two things: the Bucks are in the market for a center that can add depth and protect the rim (DeAndre Jordan??) and the Warriors are officially sold on Jordan Bell as a huge part of their core moving forward already.
I still can’t believe that the rest of the league allowed the reigning NBA champions to essentially buy a player the caliber of Bell in the second round and help fill one of their biggest needs.
