NBA Trade Deadline: How Does Each Trade Deadline Deal Impact The Washington Wizards?
By Chris Kirby
Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: JaVale McGee and a 2015 1st Round Pick
Denver Nuggets Receive: Rights to Cenk Okyol
Breakdown: McGee has fallen off since signing a four-year, $44 million contract during 2012 offseason. He is averaging 5.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 rejections in 11.5 minutes per-game. He is due to make $12 million in 2015-16, the final year of his contract. The situation with McGee was so bad, the Nuggets had to give the 76ers a first-round pick just to get rid of him.
The 76ers were able to absorb his salary and it brought the team above the league’s minimum salary cap, avoiding a fine. Philadelphia now has the majority of their team’s salary tied up by three centers (McGee, Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel). In a funny twist, they are also trying to gain the number one pick for a draft where the best prospect is a center (Jahlil Okafor).
What this means for the Washington Wizards: Ernie Grunfeld can look at this trade and crack a smile. He should pat himself on the back for trading McGee for Nene during the 2012 season. The Wizards management avoided a huge mistake and Nene is still playing great basketball for the team.
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