Report: JaVale McGee Passed Up Reunion With Former Champs To Join Kings

JaVale McGee wasn't a free agent for long; after the Dallas Mavericks released him, he soon after joined the Sacramento Kings, bringing his three NBA championship rings with him to the upstart team. 

But according to a report by Sam Amick in The Athletic, McGee actually passed up a chance to rejoin the place where he won two of those rings (2017, 2018), as the Golden State Warriors apparently had interest in re-signing him. 

JaVale McGee was a nice late-offseason addition for the Kings (especially considering they won his services over the pursuing Warriors). 

Kings head coach Mike Brown was a Warriors assistant the two seasons McGee was the backup big in The Bay, so they know each other well. McGee says Brown tells him he will have a "significant role" with Sacramento. 

The 35-year-old McGee will be backing up All-Star starting center Domantas Sabonis, and bringing his unique brand of rim protection and rim running. He's averaged 7.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots in just 16+ minutes of court time over the course of his 15-year career. He won a 3rd title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.

As for the Warriors, they'll likely go into the season with a big-man threesome in the middle of Kevon Looney, Draymond Green and Dario Saric. 

Photo: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports