Free agent center JaVale McGee is still on the market after his deal with the Boston Celtics apparently fell through. Teams reportedly interested in the big man include the Miami Heat, the Chicago Bulls, the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors.
McGee was close to signing with Boston, but the deal ended up stalling on Thursday, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.
"Talks on a deal between the Boston Celtics and free-agent center JaVale McGee fell apart when the sides couldn't agree on control of the player's contract option for the 2015-16 season, league sources told Yahoo Sports," Wojnarowski wrote Thursday. "McGee visited the Celtics this week and had been inclined to sign there, only to have his agent, B.J. Armstrong, and Celtics general manager Danny Ainge become unable to move past that deal point on Thursday afternoon."
According to Wojnarowski, the Raptors may now be the frontrunners to land the ex-Denver Nuggets center.
"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," Wojnarowski wrote.
ESPN's Marc Stein confirmed hearing this week the Raptors were interested in McGee.
Other teams interested in McGee include Miami, Chicago, San Antonio, Golden State and the Dallas Mavericks, according to Wojnarowski. Dallas, though, seems unlikely to pursue McGee after using their 15th roster spot to sign Bernard James for the remainder of the season.
Denver traded McGee, along with a protected first-round pick, to the Philadelphia 76ers on Feb. 19. Philadelphia then agreed to buy out McGee and reportedly pay him all of his remaining salary - the remainder of his $11.25 million salary for this season and his $12 million for next season.
