The Boston Celtics and free agent JaVale McGee were unable to reach a deal during the season, but that doesn't mean the two sides have given up on each other. According to A. Sherrod Blakely of Comcast Sportsnet, the Celtics and McGee haven't ruled out discussing a contract when free agency begins in July.
Boston and McGee came close to reaching a deal in March, but those discussions ultimately stalled - reportedly over McGee not wanting a player option for next season, not a team option. The 27-year-old center ended up finishing out the 2014-15 season as a free agent. Although a deal didn't work out then, Boston and McGee might decide to sit down at the negotiation table again this summer.
"Despite the failed efforts by both sides to hammer out a deal earlier, the door hasn't been totally slammed shut on the two coming together once again and seal a deal this time," Blakely wrote Wednesday.
The Denver Nuggets traded McGee on Feb. 19 to the Philadelphia 76ers, who then chose to eat the remainder of his contract - a few million dollars plus $12 million for next season - and to release him, rather than keep him on the team. McGee at the time reportedly piqued the interest of a number of teams, including the Toronto Raptors, the Miami Heat, the Chicago Bulls, the San Antonio Spurs, the Golden State Warriors and Boston.
Although he attracted the eye of a handful of teams in March, it's unlikely teams will line up to give him a big multiyear deal this summer. McGee is an athletic shot-blocker, but injuries and inconsistency will limit what teams are willing to pay for him.
Free agency begins on July 1.
