Houston Rockets to Meet with JaVale McGee

The Rockets are seeking to round out their roster and face uncertainty with their bigs. They are meeting with JaVale McGee to add to the rotation. Here’s why I think that’s not a bad move.

The Houston Rockets are capped-out yet still seeking to improve their roster. General Manager Daryl Morey is one of the best in the league and is certainly going to get creative to make the Rockets better.

This will mean having to sign several players for the veteran’s minimum of 2.4 million. Case in point, JaVale McGee. According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, the Rockets are reportedly meeting with McGee when free agency begins.

McGee played for the Lakers this past season on the veteran’s minimum and is a 2-time NBA Champion while a member of the Golden State Warriors. McGee has a career average of 1.6 blocks per game, and is a solid rim protector. This past season, McGee finished both 5th in the league in total blocks and in blocks per game. This was impressive because he only played 22.3 minutes per game.

To put that in perspetive, Clint Capela finished 12th in total blocks and 18th in blocks per game while playing 33.6 minutes per game. McGee would certainly not be a splash move, but all he would be asked to do is catch lobs and crash the glass, which is also what Capela is asked to do. The big difference is Capela is set to make 14.8 million this season whereas McGee will likely be signing for the minimum. Not only can McGee protect the paint, but he also had a career year on the offensive end, averaging 12 points per game and still grabbed 7.5 rebounds per game. He also played in 75 games, compared to Capela’s 67.

McGee has been on deep playoff runs and would bring championship experience to the Rockets.

McGee is certainly not a splash move, but could be a solid piece depending on what the Rockets do at the center position. The Rockets have reportedly found a team to take on Clint Capela, but are only going to move him if they land Jimmy Butler. Furthermore, as our own Tevin Williams wrote about previously, backup center Nene has opted out of his contract. McGee could also fill the void of back up center, which isn’t all that bad for a guy you would be bringing in on a veteran’s minimum.

We’ll see how it plays out but either way, free agency is upon us and I trust Daryl Morey!