The Cleveland Cavaliers will likely find a new home for JaVale McGee ahead of Thursday's trade deadline, with several title contenders currently vying for the veteran center, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.
McGee has averaged 8.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in just over 15 minutes per game with Cleveland this season. Opposing players have shot just 45.5% within six feet of the hoop with the big man on the court as the Cavaliers' primary defender, according to NBA Advanced Stats.
The 33-year-old is owed $4.2 million for 2020-21, the last year of his current deal.
Notably, the Los Angeles Lakers - one contender with a clear need for additional frontcourt depth - are restricted in their ability to bring McGee back into the fold.
The reigning champs are unable to reacquire McGee via trade after trading him to Cleveland in the offseason. Instead, L.A. would need another team to trade for McGee before the Lakers could buy him out, allowing him to return to the club as a free agent, according to the Los Angeles Times' Dan Woike.
