JaVale McGee will not be completing a move to the Boston Celtics after it was reported that talks had broken down between the two parties on Thursday.
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According to league sources, the deal fell apart after McGee insisted on a player option for next season while the Celtics wanted a team option.
The two parties were unable to reach a compromise and so the 7-foot center will now start to assess his other options with a number of teams interested in acquiring his services.
The 27-year-old was waived by the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday after the franchise traded for him at the deadline with the Denver Nuggets.
McGee is averaging 4.6 points and 2.7 rebounds in 23 games this season, as he continues his comeback after a long injury lay-off.
Celtics general manager Danny Ainge spoke on Thursday about how McGee would be able to offer them something different while he also had faith that coach Brad Stevens would finally get the best out of him.
However, that doesn’t look like a possibility any longer with the Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors all linked with having an interest in the towering center.
McGee is eligible to play in the playoffs after being released ahead of the deadline, and the Celtics appeared to be a solid fit considering that they are 24-35 so far this season which is good enough for 11th spot in the East. However, such is the weak nature of the Conference, they are just two games behind the Charlotte Hornets in eighth spot.
It remains to be seen where McGee lands ahead of the post-season, but the likes of the Heat and Mavericks could certainly do with adding depth to their respective front-courts.
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