Negotiations between recently bought out player Javale McGee and the Boston Celtics have stalled mainly due to options on the second year of the agreement could not be finalized. McGee was hoping to join a young Celtics roster that could accommodate a big body in the middle, yet it it is unclear if both sides will re-visit the deal.

B.J. Armstrong, McGee’s agent, and Celtics general manager Danny Ainge were on the cusp of completing the deal when McGee’s camp demanded that the second year of the deal be a player option, essentially granting the athletic forward a free hand in determining his fate moving forward. Boston was hoping to attach a team option to the final deal, giving it the flexibility to let go of the oft-injured centre if things do not work out.

Still, there are plenty of teams interested in adding a big body such a McGee in time for the playoffs. Toronto Raptors general manager Massai Ujiri, who granted the high leaping player his original multi-year extension, is interested in bringing over the former Washington Wizards starting centre to back-up Jonas Valanciunas. Aside from the Raptors, the San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, and the Golden State Warriors have all expressed some inkling to bring over the centre despite some of his baggage.

“Toronto general manager Masai Ujiri signed McGee to a $48 million extension in Denver, and remains interested in offering him an opportunity to join the Raptors for a playoff run, league sources told Yahoo Sports,” Adrian Wojnarowski relayed in his latest report for Yahoo Sports.

The Flint, Michigan native has been hounded the past two years with leg injuries which have hampered his development. He displayed some semblance of potential after going toe to toe with the likes of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum during the Denver Nuggets lone trip to the Western Conference finals, but since then, injuries and maturity concerns have halted his progress.

The Nuggets had to attach a future-first round pick in the trade deadline deal with the Philadelphia 76ers just to absorb the $20 million-plus remaining of the two-year contract of McGee. The 76ers quickly reached a buy-out agreement with the centre to allow him to sign with a team and be eligible for the playoffs. Despite all these, McGee still has some value in league with career averages of 8 points and 5.5 rebounds in just a shade of 20 minutes per game.

For concerns on this story, contact the author at v.hidalgo@ibtimes.com.au.

RELATED STORIES