The Nets are looking to acquire a second-string center to fill out their rotation. JaVale McGee has been aggressively linked to them.
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Two successive losses to the Cavs, who’ve moved above Brooklyn in the standings, must have rankled the Nets management no end. There is a glaring need for a defensive specialist in the team. They traded their best defender and center in Jarrett Allen away to acquire James Harden.
While Harden has settled into life at the Barclays Center seamlessly, the Nets defense is still in serious need of shoring up. They will be knocked out early in the playoffs with this kind of effort on that end. However, there are precious few viable options available to them.
Among the centers who’re good for the job and available for the right price is JaVale McGee. After living in the Bay Area and Los Angeles over the past 4 years, Cleveland must feel like a real downgrade to him.
Will JaVale McGee sign with the Nets?
The Cavs are already in an untenable position with respect to their big men. They have 5 players capable of playing in that role. Kevin Love is currently out, while Larry Nance Jr is being played in a power forward role. Nance has improved his shot to become a stretch 4 now.
But this still leaves 2 starting-caliber centers in Andre Drummond and Jarrett Allen competing for minutes. It’s a good problem to have for a team looking to win. But this means that JaVale McGee will be their 5th-choice center once Love is fit.
Nets and Cavs meeting for second time tonight, and sources tell @FortyEightMins to expect Nets to make a run at acquiring Cavs backup center JaVale McGee soon. Brooklyn has 2 available roster spots and looking for another veteran presence in the middle.
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) January 23, 2021
In all likelihood, the Nets will wait for the buyout market to acquire JaVale. In addition, they have a $5.7 million trade exception. They could use it to get more help at the center position. DeAndre Jordan is not going to cut it any more.
