Should Mavs Cut JaVale McGee, Sign Usman Garuba?

Originally posted on FanNation Dallas Basketball
By Dalton Trigg | Last updated 8/21/23

Although the Dallas Mavericks don’t have any open roster spots after recently signing Derrick Jones Jr . to a one-year deal, room could still be made if the team ends up making a trade or simply waiving a player like JaVale McGee — something that has been reported as being a real possibility — in the near future.

On Monday, HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported that the Oklahoma City Thunder waived Usman Garuba, who has spent the last two seasons with the Houston Rockets. The 6-8 forward didn’t put up big numbers last season, as he only averaged 3.0 points and 4.1 rebounds in 75 games, but he had career-high efficiency, shooting 48.6 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from deep in 12.9 minutes per game.

The 21-year-old Spaniard is also a decent defender with a 7-2 wingspan, and if the Mavs can’t find a taker for McGee on the trade market, it might make some sense to go ahead and waive him in order to take a flier on Garuba. Mavs GM Nico Harrison has done a good job making roster moves on the margins this offseason, and a move of this nature would fit in with what Dallas has already been able to do.

Of course, the Mavs would love to make a slightly splashier move, like trading for Atlanta Hawks big man Clint Capela, for example, but there’s no guarantee that such an opportunity will arise. In the meantime, Dallas has another chance to marginally improve its roster.

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