Mavs GM Nico Harrison Speaks on JaVale McGee's Slow Start to Season

So far this season, Dallas Mavericks center JaVale McGee has played his way out of the starting lineup. GM Nico Harrison recently discussed McGee's slow start.

Michael Mulford | Dec 1, 2022

In the offseason, the Dallas Mavericks made a big move in acquiring Christian Wood from the Houston Rockets via trade.

Alongside Wood, the Mavs also added veteran center JaVale McGee in attempt to bolster their frontcourt.

Mavs GM Nico Harrison made an appearance on 105.3 The Fan on Wednesday to talk about the team’s season so far, Wood's role, and the disappointing play of McGee.

"I think with JaVale, we're waiting for JaVale to be JaVale," said Harrison. "But, part of the reason why we brought him in, this guy has won three championships over the last four years. Definitely a veteran presence and he's been in the league a long time so we're also not trying to burn him out in the first part of the season. He's the guy that you're going to need down the stretch.

"I think the biggest thing with veterans is making sure that you don't kill them early in the season and let them catch their legs and I think that's what we're waiting for JaVale to get his stride, catch his legs which he'll do."

In 15 games played, McGee is averaging just 4.2 points and 2.6 rebounds in 9.1 minutes per game while being a -30 on the season. After starting in the first seven games, Mavs coach Jason Kidd opted to start Dwight Powell at center in place of McGee.

For McGee, the Mavericks signed him to a three-year deal to upgrade their rim protection and rebounding, which he flashed on a handful of occasions with the Phoenix Suns last season. Now 20 games into the young season, Dallas ranks dead last in the league in team rebounding and second-to-last in block per game.

"I think that's what JaVale needs to bring to us is more improved rebounding and just his presence," said Harrison.

If rebounding and rim protection isn't something that McGee can eventually provide, don't expect to see much of him out on the floor for the rest of the year.

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Published Dec 1, 2022

MICHAEL MULFORD

Michael Mulford is a writer/editor for Dallas Basketball, where he extensively covers the Dallas Mavericks. He also covers the Chicago Bulls as the Managing Editor for Bulls Wire of USA Today Sports Media Group. Mulford grew up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and graduated from the University of North Texas in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Event, and Sports Management. He began his pursuit of sports writing in 2017 with Dallas Sports Fanatic, where he covered the Mavericks’ G League affiliate, Texas Legends. He then became the Managing Editor of Dallas Sports Fanatic just one year later and has covered the Mavericks as a credentialed media member since 2018, including covering numerous playoff games between 2021-22 and covering the team at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas in 2019. In his time covering the Mavericks, Mulford has conducted numerous interviews for exclusive stories including with Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki, former Maverick and current VP of Basketball Ops Michael Finley, former Mavericks GM Donnie Nelson, and more. You can follow and interact with Mulford on Twitter at @TheMulf.