The Los Angeles Lakers will retain at least one part of its shot-blocking frontcourt. Veteran center JaVale McGee has exercised his $4.2 million player option for the 2020-21 season, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Lakers center JaVale McGee will exercise his $4.2M player option for 2020-21 season, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 19, 2020
McGee signed with the Lakers in July of 2018 and has now been L.A.'s starting big man for the better part of two seasons.
The 32-year-old started in all 68 of his appearances during the regular season, averaging 6.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in just under 17 minutes per game.
McGee saw his playing time decrease in the playoffs, and he hardly took the floor as the Lakers played small against the Houston Rockets in the conference semifinals. But McGee's rim protection and ability to catch lobs and make plays diving to the rim made him an integral part of L.A.'s championship roster.
Los Angeles will once again rely on McGee to provide rim protection and toughness inside, and the 32-year-old still seems to have plenty of juice left.
Most of L.A.'s most pressing needs come on the wings, however.
The Lakers acquired Dennis Schroder for the Oklahoma City Thunder, which should account for the likely departure of Rajon Rondo in the backcourt. But will L.A. have enough money to re-sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope or Avery Bradley (if not both)? General manager Rob Pelinka will also have to decide whether to try and re-sign Dwight Howard alongside McGee.
Los Angeles is still basking in the glory of its championship, but the 2020-21 season is also less than a month away. McGee will return to the fold in an effort to help the Lakers defend their crown.
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