Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee ‘likely’ out for the rest of the season
By Andrew Dill
Nov 13, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee sits on the bench during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 111-99. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
McGee Out For The Season?
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, the Denver Nuggets could be without big man JaVale McGee for the remainder of the 2013-14′ season. News broke Thursday morning that the stress fracture McGee suffered in his left leg hasn’t properly healed and he is seeking further medical consultation. JaVale played in just five regular season games this season, averaging 7.0 points per game, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks while playing in just 16 minutes of action.
McGee is the third Nugget to have a knee injury in the past year. Danilo Gallinari, who is a key part missing from the line-up, suffered a season-ending ACL tear last season in April against the Dallas Mavericks. The forward was the leading scorer and go-to guy down the stretch for the Nuggets last season, averaging 16.2 points per game, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 71 games played. Gallinari signed a four-year, $42-million extension the season prior to tearing his ACL.
This season, Nate Robinson went down with an ACL tear January 29th against the Charlotte Bobcats. Nate was the key scorer and table setter off of the bench averaging 10.4 points per game, 2.5 assists while shooting 42.8% percent from the field. The Nuggets now face an uphill battle for a playoff position with three solid contributors out of the line-up.
With Gallinari, Robinson, McGee, and Andre Miller absent from the team, Denver’s salary off of the court right now is nearly half of their payroll. Gallo, McGee, Nate, and Miller combine for a salary of $27,912,925 for this season while the team’s total payroll is $66,675,209 for 2013/14.
If Denver is going to deal someone at the deadline, Andre Miller would be your definite answer. The rumors have cooled off of late but if Denver is still in the hunt for the playoffs by the deadline, which they should be, the Nuggets would likely take a point guard in return for the veteran.