Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told Anthony Slater of the San Jose Mercury News that he would love to have backup center Javale Mcgee back but he can only sign him to a veteran’s minimum deal worth $2.3 million. The feeling is mutual for McGee, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, who reported that the center remained engaged with the Warriors despite meeting with the Los Angeles Clippers and the Sacramento Kings as he tries to find a better deal than Golden State can offer.
Earlier, McGee told Raul Barrigon of Hoopshype.com that the Warriors provided him with the best situation that he ever had in his career but he also has to make the “best decision for his family’s future”.
In his interview with Slater, Kerr said he wants to have McGee back but as a free agent, the coach understands that the center is exploring his options in the market. “He was great for us last year, such a good teammate, high energy. But we’ll see,” said Kerr, adding that the Warriors have the 15th and last spot for McGee if he decides to return.
McGee revived career with Warriors
The 29-year-old McGee emerged as one of the Warriors’ key players to their title run last season, averaging 6.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 77 regular-season games. Despite averaging just 9.6 minutes per contest, he made a career-high 65.2 percent from the floor. Before joining Golden State, he played for the Dallas Mavericks in 2015-16, averaging 5.1 points and 3.9 rebounds.
An 18th overall pick by Washington in 2008, McGee played 3 ½ years with the Wizards before moving to the Denver Nuggets, where he lasted for 3 ½ years as well. He bounced around with the Philadelphia 76ers and Mavericks before signing a veteran minimum deal with the Warriors.
Kerr thanked Durant for $9 million salary cut
In an interview with the Bay Area News Group, Kerr thanked Kevin Durant for taking a pay cut to help the team keep some of their key players.
Durant signed a two-year, $53 million deal, $9 million below the maximum amount, enabling the Warriors to keep Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston and signing Nick Young from the free-agent market. The Warriors signed a three-year, $48 million contract while Livingston inked a three-year pact worth $24 million.
According to Kerr, Durant’s move was a "remarkable gesture" that reminded him a bit of Tim Duncan during his time with the San Antonio Spurs.
"He made max money, and then at key times in his career, he took a little less so they could add a player here and there,” Kerr said, referring to Duncan, who took some several pay cuts to allow the Spurs to sign key players. Before he retired, Duncan signed a two-year, $10.4 million deal with the Spurs.
