JaVale McGee Throws First Pitch at Chase Field; Says He'd Love Return to Suns

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Suns
By Donnie Druin | Last updated 5/28/22

Upcoming free agent center JaVale McGee might just have a key to Chase Field at this point.

Just a day after announcing a charity softball game that will take place at the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 22, McGee took the mound on Friday night in Phoenix to throw out the game's ceremonial first pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

McGee, standing at seven-feet tall, narrowly edges out former Diamondbacks great Randy Johnson (6-foot-10) in height, yet Johnson may edge him in pitching prowess.

The Arizona Republic's Jose M. Romero says McGee made solid contact with the ball a few times while taking batting practice prior to the game. McGee was there to spread the word on his upcoming charity game with JUGLIFE, a foundation that strives to provide clean water across the globe.

The 34-year-old center also addressed his future by saying, "Definitely a team on my list (the Suns) and I would love to be back," said McGee. "You know how the offseason goes. You never know what can happen. Trades, signings. But yeah, I'm definitely open to it."

McGee played in 74 games for the Suns, averaging 9.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game in just under 16 minutes played.

A move to a new city would see McGee join his fifth team since the 2018-19 season. He made $5,000,000 last season and is one of three centers the Suns must make a decision on, as Deandre Ayton (restricted) and Bismack Biyombo (unrestricted) are set to test the waters of free-agency out this offseason.

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