Three-time NBA champion JaVale McGee is one of the most well-known players in the league today. Although he has never necessarily been a star, the 29-year-old’s unique personality and fun habits quickly turned him into a fan favorite and household name.
This week, McGee posted a video that reminded one and all why he has the reputation that he ultimately has among NBA fans.
Tristan Thompson shoots a far better percentage off the court than on it. https://t.co/f70gUH87z5
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 10, 2020
In the clip, McGee can be seen throwing a birthday surprise for his longtime housekeeper, Maritza. The video shows him trying to keep the whole thing a secret, while simultaneously plotting on the best way to reward someone who has worked with him for years.
Among the highlights: McGee going shopping, finding just the right cake, and then adding a little bonus on top to make the day truly special.
Beyond doing nice things for the ones he loves, McGee is also facing something of an interesting situation when it comes to his basketball career.
McGee has a $4.2 million player option with the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason that he will almost certainly exercise. CBS Sports NBA insider Sam Quinn revealed this much during a recent column.
This is gonna be fun. https://t.co/0FojKZcCSx
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 9, 2020
“Bradley and McGee are probably opting-in, whether the Lakers want them to or not,” he wrote.
“Bradley’s bubble absence and McGee’s bubble irrelevance makes it highly unlikely that either would get a raise on the market. Their returns take us down to around $15 million to work with. Cook is not guaranteed, but keeping him around as trade fodder makes more sense than eating $1 million in dead salary. Caldwell-Pope and Rondo are reportedly opting out, and both have earned raises. This is where things get tricky.”
This past season McGee fell out of the rotation in the playoffs, ultimately watching from the sidelines as Dwight Howard and Anthony Davis played the majority of the big man minutes for LA.
A peace offering from Kawhi to Snoop. https://t.co/SzdYcXdUBi
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 7, 2020
Over the course of the year, McGee averaged 6.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per outing, which is roughly in line with his career average of 7.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
Interestingly enough, McGee had a really standout season with the Lakers back in 2018-19 where he averaged 12.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, so he definitely has the ability to do better.
If he could somehow find a middle ground between where he was last year and where he was two years ago, he could give LA some very decent production next season.
Will that actually end up happening, though?
Time will tell.
Related: James Harden’s First Tweet Since May (Photo)
A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
