What Mavericks' latest roster moves mean for team

The Dallas Mavericks are planning to stretch-and-waive center JaVale McGee and re-sign forward Markieff Morris, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania. 

The Washington Wizards selected McGee with the No. 18 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. He has played for eight NBA franchises during his 15-year NBA career. The former Nevada big averaged 4.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.6 blocks per game in the 42 games he played for Dallas during the 2022-23 season.

McGee signed a three-year contract with the Mavericks in 2022. He has a $5.7M cap hit in the 2023-24 season and a $6M player option for the 2024-25 season, according to sports contract and salaries website Spotrac.

"JaVale McGee is owed $11,741,621 on the two years left of his contract (his 24-25 player option will be exercised before he’s waived-and-stretched)," Spotrac contributor Keith Smith wrote. "Mavs will stretch that amount over five years at $2,348,324 per season. 

"Stretch = two times the years left on the deal + one year."

Morris was included in the Brooklyn Nets trade that sent guard Kyrie Irving to Dallas in February. In exchange, Brooklyn received guard Spencer Dinwiddie, forward Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 first-round pick and two second-round selections. The 12-year NBA veteran averaged 4.5 points and 1.5 rebounds per game in the eight games he suited up for the Mavericks last year.

Waiving McGee and re-signing Morris may mean more of an investment in flexibility at both the power forward and the center spots. Morris spent 49% of his minutes with Dallas at the four and 51% at the five last season, according to Basketball Reference. 

The Mavericks will have plenty of big options on the roster after the sign-and-trade for forward Grant Williams in July and the selection of center Dereck Lively II in the 2023 NBA Draft.