Former NBA Champion Signs Surprise Deal Overseas

This off-season, we've already seen several NBA veterans depart North America, and now we've had perhaps our most surprising move of all. In a recent release, it has been announced that Javale McGee will be headed Down Under, signing with the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League in Australia. 

In the process, McGee follows the likes of Montrez Harrell, Matthew Dellavadova and other NBA stars to head to Australia, joining the team that once hosted a young LaMelo Ball before he would be drafted No. 3 overall 

McGee last played in the NBA back in 2023/24 with the Sacramento Kings, posting 4.0 points a game along with 3 boards, and while he's no longer the athletic stud he once was, he can still be a contributor on both ends. With over 900 NBA games and three NBA titles under his belt, McGee brings plenty of experience, and with the game growing in Australia, he's set to seize the opportunity to continue his playing career. 

At 37-years of age, McGee has not been a productive offensive player for quite some time, averaging single digits over the last seven seasons, but given his name power, it's a great move from the Hawks. With more and more young centres entering the NBA every year, this is likely the end of his NBA career, with his limited skill set not making him a fit for the modern game, but in Australia, he's got the chance to continue contributing at a high level in the professional game.