Former NBA MVP Derrick Rose reportedly will sign a one-year $2.1 million deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers. This move by the Cavaliers will prompt fans to wonder if this is the end of the Kyrie Irving era in Cleveland. Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors head coach is still hoping that their valuable back up center, Javale Mcgee will come back next season still wearing a Warriors uniform.

Derrick Rose ready to fill Kyrie Irving’s shoes?

The two NBA finalists have had a very different off season. The Golden State Warriors quickly took care of business, signing their core group back for at least one more run for the title while the Cleveland Cavaliers lost their General Manager and seems about to lose one of its valued piece in Kyrie Irving.

Kyrie Irving has reportedly asked the Cavaliers organization that he wants to get traded, listing 4 teams including the San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Irving allegedly has had enough of playing second fiddle to alpha dog LeBron James and wanted to be the focal point of his next team.

This trade request may have been one of the reasons why the Cleveland Cavaliers signed the oft-injured Derrick Rose to a contract. Presumably, Rose will play as Kyrie’s backup, play alongside Kyrie (if Kyrie stays with the Cavs), or take over Irving’s starting spot if and when the All-Star guard takes his talents elsewhere.

While Derrick Rose is evidently a shell of his former self, Rose posted impressive stats last season playing for a dysfunctional New York Knicks team.

Rose played 64 games for the Knicks and averaged 18 points and 4.4 assists on 47 percent shooting, a far cry to his MVP season scoring-wise.

If the Cavs lose Kyrie Irving via the trade he is allegedly forcing, Rose could be a suitable replacement, although a massive downgrade, for Kyrie. Kyrie is a former Rookie of the Year, an All-Star Game MVP, an NBA champion, and an Olympic gold medallist so his role that would be difficult to fill for any player in the NBA.

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr hopes to re-sign JaVale McGee

The Golden State Warriors has one spot left in their roster and head coach Steve Kerr reportedly wants JaVale McGee to fill that last spot. McGee has been an important rotation player for the Warriors, with most of his impressive play coming during the Dubs 16-1 playoff run.

Bringing back JaVale McGee should have been easy for the Warriors management team. The Dubs signed Stephen Curry to a max deal and Kevin Durrant took a hometown discount that allowed the Warriors to retain the services of their core group including Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston, and David West. The Golden States Warriors raised the salary of starting center Zaza Pachulia.

It was an impressive maneuver by the Warriors management especially if the signing of Nick Young to a mid-level contract exception and Omri Caspi to a 1-year veteran minimum contract is to be counted. However, a source close to the situation suggests that McGee felt he has proven himself to the organization and expected to get a pay-raise, the starting center job, or at least more court time.

The same source revealed that McGee felt slighted that the money went to Young and Pachulia, and with Pachulia back in the fold, then McGee probably will remain as the primary back up center for the Warriors.

However, the latest report coming from the Warriors camp suggests that head coach Steve Kerr want to bring back JaVale McGee and fill that last roster spot. Kerr seems to be in agreement with most Dubs fans that McGee is an integral part of their system. Also, McGee can play in spurts that energize the team with timely dunks, rebounds, and hustle plays. “I’d like to see JaVale back, and we’ll see how that shakes out,” Kerr Said.

McGee appeared in 77 games for the Dubs last season and averaged 6.1 points per game on 65.2 percent shooting in close to 10 minutes of court time.

While McGee has said on record that he is exploring the NBA market, he has stated repeatedly that he loves the Warriors organization and the Bay Area. However, the Warriors reportedly said that they will only add another player in their roster if it is a minimum-salary contract.
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