Let's all take a moment to admire how JaVale McGee managed to screw himself

[celticsclay]

He had 5 to 6 teams who wanted to sign him to a deal with a team option for next year.

Why wouldn't those teams be interested in the offseason? They very likely will, along with more teams since midseason moves are often roster spot limited.

I don't know how seriously you take those "interested" claims. These are often just claims made by agents to drum up interest in their player. Below for humor are just a few examples from the past year of the players that reported strong interest, usually of 3 or 4 teams. The only one of these guys that even played in the NBA this season was Nate Robinson on a 10 day contract. It will be a long uphill battle for McGee to land a roster spot. Like I said he hasn't really played in a few years, is known as being a headcase and is not like he is 22 anymore where a team views him as someone that had one bad situation.

A few months ago the Wizards, Heat, Cavaliers s and Clippers were interested in Nate Robinson (who ultimately signed a 10 day contract and is out of the league for the playoffs)
http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/01/15/report-cavs-clippers-heat-wizards-interested-in-nate-robinson/

Prior to this season many teams were reportedly interested in Eddie Curry
http://www.advarsitysports.com/many-teams-interested-in-eddy-curry/

Last offseason there were somehow 5 teams interested in Jordan Crawford
http://www.netsdaily.com/2014/7/8/5882803/marc-j-spears-brooklyn-nets-among-five-teams-with-interest-in-jordan

Then this past month strong interest from unnamed teams
http://www.hoopsrumors.com/2015/02/silver-crawford-owners.html

Andray Blatche reportedly had a list of suitors a few months back
http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/02/report-nets-grizzlies-interested-in-andray-blatche/

A month ago it was claimed the Cavs, Lakers and Clippers were interested in Baron Davis (out of basketball since 2012 Baron Davis
http://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/180642/20150304/nba-free-agency-rumors-cleveland-cavaliers-signing-baron-davis.htm


EDIT: Apparently Zack lowe has a similar train of thought as me. From his season wrap up piece on grantland today

"By the way, did you see the report that the Lakers will entertain trade offers for Nick Young? You don’t say! A team might pick up the phone if someone calls with a pitch to trade for a demonstrably very bad player on an iffy contract? Whoa! This is almost as good as that moment, after the trade deadline, when JaVale McGee’s people leaked that he was waiting on offers from contenders — plural."

[spikelovetheCelts]

JaVale must be thinking he's a complete bonehead at this point in time.

He is a bonehead that is why he is unemployed.

[bionicguy]

JaVale McGee is a wealthy waste of BB talent. He got paid next year's salary already, so he wasn't really "losing" anything by signing for the minimum, even with a team option. I think he overplayed his hand and DA didn't flinch. The Celtics probably got lucky, because team chemistry is hugely important to success (IMHO), and the Celtics have it. We want guys that want to play here and play hard, just like the guys we already have.

The playoffs should be fun. Go Celts!

[saltlover]

I said it when the deal fell through, and I'll say it again now -- I think his agent did him a disservice.  Seriously, half of whatever he made this year and next would go back to the 6ers.  Makes more sense to have a team invested in him for a season-and-a-half than only a single season.  He's big and tall and can jump, and there will always be an NBA role for him until he can no longer jump, but it's a end-of-the-bench role until he shows more, which, on one-year deals, no team will likely give him the opportunity to do.

He should probably go to China for a season.

[Future Celtics Owner]

Mcgee is a joke. It baffles me how he can not average 10/10/2 blocks for his career...being that he is 6'11'' w/o shoes , 7'6'' wingspan, 9'7'' standing reach, and a 33 or 35 max vertical

[MBunge]

He had 5 to 6 teams who wanted to sign him to a deal with a team option for next year.

Why wouldn't those teams be interested in the offseason? They very likely will, along with more teams since midseason moves are often roster spot limited.

And why would any of those teams offer him more money or a better deal now?  Who is going to give McGee a multi-year contract for big bucks?

The point, which you seem bound and determined to ignore, is that if he signed with Boston (or someone else) for the rest of this regular season and then a team option for next year, that would have given him the opportunity to get on the court and demonstrate his value so he can sign that last fat contract AFTER next season.

Is anyone going to give McGee that fat contract after his last few seasons in the league?  Isn't anyone who signs McGee STILL going to want that team option for a second year?  So hasn't McGee, at best, forced himself to wait two more years instead of one?

It's understandable why McGee didn't want to give up that team option for next season, but I fail to see how he's better positioned now to ultimately get the money that he wants.  He has a horrible reputation and zero leverage.  He can't do much about the leverage and the only way to change his reputation is to get on the court and do great things.

Mike

[D Dub]

Being Javale McGee is like buying a winning lotto ticket but then forgetting to check the numbers.

[celticsclay]

Being Javale Mcgee is like going to an open bar and being allergic to alcohol.

[fairweatherfan]

Being Javale McGee is like being born with the ability to be an incredible Internet poster but someth*trips over monitor cord, face hits keyboard*afdaqwjaskjnnmadfv +++CARRIER LOST+++

[celticsclay]

I really would like if we could continue this series of "being javale McGee is like..." statements....

[Sixth Man]

You couple that with the fact that Stevens has gotten the most out of a ton of players this season and we were a team that could really have used sized, and him being under contract for next year may well be the best situation he could have been in.

If that's the case why would the C's say no to signing him this offseason anyways? I don't think Danny is the type to hold a "grudge" over a FA deal falling through.

McGee missed out some potential playing time this season and perhaps spot minutes against the Cavs the playoffs. In return he gained his freedom to pick a team this offseason. He didn't "screw" himself, he just made a choice.

Strongly agree with you, Fanfir, and I suspect that in the long run, he will be proven to have made the best choice for himself.  It's ludicrous to think that a center with his ability to defend in the paint will not receive multiple offers this offseason.

[Timdawgg]

Being Javale McGee is like being a 7 foot basketball player that only shoots threes...

[pokeKingCurtis]

Being Javale McGee is like being a 7 foot basketball player that only shoots threes...

That's Bargnani.

[celticsclay]

You couple that with the fact that Stevens has gotten the most out of a ton of players this season and we were a team that could really have used sized, and him being under contract for next year may well be the best situation he could have been in.

If that's the case why would the C's say no to signing him this offseason anyways? I don't think Danny is the type to hold a "grudge" over a FA deal falling through.

McGee missed out some potential playing time this season and perhaps spot minutes against the Cavs the playoffs. In return he gained his freedom to pick a team this offseason. He didn't "screw" himself, he just made a choice.

Strongly agree with you, Fanfir, and I suspect that in the long run, he will be proven to have made the best choice for himself.  It's ludicrous to think that a center with his ability to defend in the paint will not receive multiple offers this offseason.

If you saw the quote I posted from Zach Lowe he thought it was actually ludicrous that McGee's agent created the story that multiple contenders were interested in him. Lowe seems at least moderately plugged in and the fact is the guy hasn't played more than a handful of games over the last few seasons should depress his market further. I really don't know how you guys are ignoring that. He was not a superstar to begin with and that fact that he hasn't played more than 18 minutes a game since 2011-2012 should show he just isn't that great. He will be lucky to get any sort of contract and the longer he stays out of basketball the less likely it is for him to receive any sort of offer. May end up in China.

[Alleyoopster]

My feeling is McGee and his agent knew he was damaged goods.  Signing with the C's wouldn't showcase anything this season because he'd either be on the bench or in civilian clothes.  And, he'd collect another seasons salary regardless if he healed or not.

Danny finally saw the light that he was just money-grabbing and kicked him out the door.  Smart move by both parties.  McGee didn't really really screw himself unless his injuries never heal and he can't play next season.