2017 NBA free agency grades: Warriors to re-sign JaVale McGee

JaVale McGee has reportedly agreed to return to the Golden State Warriors for the 2018 season. The deal is for the veteran’s minimum and will be a one-year contract.

According to ESPN’s Chris Haynes, JaVale McGee has reportedly agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Golden State Warriors. The deal is reportedly for the veteran’s minimum salary and fills the final spot on the Warriors’ 15-man roster. They still have a two-way contract available for a prospect or developing player.

McGee brings exceptional length coupled with athleticism that is rare at the center position. He uses this unique combination to wreak havoc on the defensive end by generating blocks and closing off passing lanes. McGee is not a terrific individual defender, but has made progress in that area during his career. Another season with the Warriors will allow him to polish his defensive game even further.

On the offensive end, JaVale McGee is capable of producing rebounds and spectacular finishes at the rim, but is still developing other parts of his game. His jumper will not be required on this Warriors team but he needs to continue to limit his turnovers. McGee did prove to be more than competent in the pick-and-roll situation last year though. His quickness, length and jumping ability make him a threat rolling to the basket and he is also a decent passer.

Playing for a team with the championship pedigree of the Golden State Warriors was a welcome change last season for JaVale McGee. Although he averaged the lowest minutes per game of his career, McGee played extremely efficiently for the Warriors. He continued to display his ability to rack up stats in a short amount of time during the 2017 NBA Playoffs.

The newfound excitement and the championship environment in Oakland combined to mature McGee’s game and highlight his abilities. Earlier in his career, it would be nearly unthinkable that JaVale McGee would play meaningful and beneficial minutes for a championship team.

However, being human, JaVale was unable to avoid some of the inexplicable mistakes that he is most infamously known for.

Until agreeing to terms with JaVale McGee, the Golden State Warriors had made a litany of transactions since winning the 2017 NBA title, but had not signed a true backup center. Rookie Jordan Bell showed promise in NBA Summer League, but is definitely built for the power forward position. Fellow rookie Chris Boucher is rehabbing from ACL surgery and will spend the majority of his year with the Santa Cruz Warriors in the freshly renamed G-League.

JaVale McGee solidifies the bench for the Golden State Warriors and will own the backup center position behind Zaza Pachulia. Although his game is still raw, McGee is an ideal bench player who brings a unique boost of energy to the team. His heart, hustle and athleticism made him a fan favorite and instantly endeared him to the Oakland crowds at “Roar-acle” Arena.

The Warriors struck gold on yet another free agent signing this offseason with JaVale McGee’s minimum contract. For McGee though, it is an opportunity to prove that he is worthy of a larger contract next summer. Both sides come away from this deal feeling positive and the Warriors remain on track for their 2018 title defense. Life is easy for an NBA organization when superstars and role players are both willing to sacrifice salary for victories.

Next: 2017 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far

Grade: A+