Denver Nuggets Signed JaVale McGee to 4-Year, $44 Million Deal


It was originally reported that the Denver Nuggets and restricted free agent JaVale McGee were negotiating a 5-year, $50 million deal, but in the end, the two sides settled on a slightly shorter contract. Per the Denver Post: “The deal is a four-year, $44 million contract, his mother, Pam McGee, confirmed. The 7-foot McGee was a restricted free agent this summer, but the Nuggets made no secret that he was a top priority. The Nuggets now have signed the maximum 15 players. In 20 games for the Nuggets last season, after arriving in the Nene trade with Washington, McGee averaged 10.3 points per game and 5.8 rebounds. He also finished second in the NBA in blocked shots (2.16). ‘We are so excited to be a part of the Denver Nugget family, and the wonderful Denver community,’ Pam McGee said in a text. The 24-year-old McGee inevitably will start at center for Denver alongside power forward Faried, who finished third last season in the voting for rookie of the year. Both players were featured routinely on highlight reels with their sky-walking dunks. During the playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers, Nuggets coach George Karl was asked about McGee, who had two huge games. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever coached a guy like this,’ said Karl, who got his first NBA head coaching job in 1984. ‘He has the kind of moves of a 6-6 player. The guy he kind of reminds me of a little bit is (1970s star) Connie Hawkins. There’s this long, unfolding one-handed stuff. He’s got a long way to go to become Connie Hawkins.'”