76ers agree to waive JaVale McGee, will be playoff-eligible

Improbable as it seems, JaVale McGee may find himself playing a part in this spring's postseason.

The Philadelphia 76ers, who acquired the center from the Denver Nuggets at the trade deadline, have agreed to waive him, news first reported by USA Today's Sam Amick. McGee will become a free agent once he clears waivers and will be playoff-eligible for whichever team he joins.

The team announced the move Monday.

So much for being a mentor to the young Sixers.

In a huge coup for the player, McGee did not have to surrender any salary to procure his freedom - Amick reports that McGee is simply being waived rather than bought out, with the Sixers saving nothing on the remainder of his $11.25-million salary for this season or his $12-million salary for next season. He'll remain on Philadelphia's books for 2015-16 at that price tag.

If that seems crazy, it's just a part of general manager Sam Hinkie's oft-abstruse rebuilding strategy. In this case, Hinkie and the Sixers were paid a first-round pick to take McGee off the Nuggets' hands, and in waiving him, they've essentially purchased that pick for about $15 million. That pick was originally property of the Oklahoma City Thunder and is top-18 protected in 2015 and top-15 protected in 2016 and 2017, after which it would become two second-round picks.

McGee's salary being on the books for next season is unlikely to matter, as Philadelphia has just $26.7 million committed in total and may once again struggle to reach the salary floor, a mark they needed to do some gymnastics to reach this season.

McGee - who has suited up for only 27 games over the last two seasons due to a surgically repaired stress fracture in his left tibia - is unlikely to be claimed on waivers because a team would have to absorb his salary in claiming him. If he clears, as expected, he will be free to sign with any team and will be eligible for playoff rosters.

The 27-year-old is averaging 4.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 11 minutes over 22 contests with the Sixers and Nuggets and averaged 11.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in a career-year as recently as 2011-12.

McGee can finish inside and is a legitimate shot-blocking presence, but his overall defensive game and bad decision-making leave much to be desired. Even if a playoff-bound team were to pick him up, consistent playing time may not be guaranteed.

Among the teams said to be interested are the Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets and Miami Heat. While McGee has a reputation as a bit of a distraction, 7-footers who can potentially help protect the rim are hard to come by, and a team with a strong culture offering a reduced role could help rehabilitate his reputation.