NBA Trade Rumors: Nets Discussing New Deal With Cavs For Former Lakers Center, Report Says

KEY POINTS

The Brooklyn Nets are looking to get DeAndre Jordan help in the middle, a report says
McGee was displaced after the arrival of Jarrett Allen
McGee can help beef up the Nets' thinning frontline

The Brooklyn Nets are far from done when it comes to addressing their roster needs. Most know that the Nets took quite a hit in the James Harden trade, sending away multiple players in the deal.

The Nets have two roster spots open and received a $5.7 million trade exception recently, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported. This was a result of the season-ending injury that Spencer Dinwiddie suffered. Using that on shoring up its frontline following the release of Jarrett Allen would make a lot of sense.

Ironically, a player they are targeting is someone Allen had displaced over in Cleveland. JaVale McGee took a hit when the 22-year-old came on board. He was averaging 6.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks for the Cavs before things were changed up following the massive multiplayer NBA trade.

The Nets and the Cavs are holding talks for the second time, according to Sam Amico of AmicoHoops. Unnamed sources told @FortyEightMins that the Nets will try to get something done for McGee, who can provide added veteran presence in the middle.

Nets and Cavs meeting for second time tonight, and sources tell @FortyEightMins to expect Nets to make a run at acquiring Cavs backup center JaVale McGee soon. Brooklyn has 2 available roster spots and looking for another veteran presence in the middle.
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) January 23, 2021

As mentioned in a previous report, adding a center made sense for the undermanned Nets. Only DeAndre Jordan is around to man the middle so adding another rim protector would make sense.

Before this report, there were suggestions that the Los Angeles Lakers should seriously consider bringing back the three-time NBA champion. However, that would be a bit complicated since McGee was traded to the Cavaliers. Even if Cleveland cuts the 33-year-old veteran, the purple and gold still cannot take him in due to NBA rules.

The only way the Lakers can consider re-acquiring McGee is if he is traded to another team and then cut. If the Nets succeed, that could gain some headway. But seeing how the Nets need additional bodies, they are unlikely to cut him at this point.

Given those scenarios, McGee joining the Nets makes sense. He could come off the bench and give Nets head coach Steve Nash and company some reprieve.

This season, McGee has played 13 games for the Cavs, averaging improved numbers of 8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 blocks in 16.9 minutes of action.