The Los Angeles Lakers, begrudgingly, are bringing some of the band back together from last year’s failed first season with LeBron James.
After missing out on Kawhi Leonard and improving their team some on the margins, their latest move after another momentous shift in the Western Conference is to bring back center JaVale McGee on a 2-year deal, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
That contract contains a player option for the next season, meaning McGee can stay with the Lakers should he want to next season. McGee was on a 1-year contract last season as the Lakers hoped to keep their cap space open to sign a third max free agent to join LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
McGee looks like the likely starter at center for the second straight season for L.A. While Anthony Davis will likely play center during the most high-leverage moments of the season, it’s not something he prefers doing on a nightly basis during the regular season.
McGee averaged a career-high 12 points per game last season to go with 7.5 rebounds and 2 blocks in 75 appearances. McGee started 62 of the 75 games he appeared in last season for the Lakers.
