The Boston Celtics have reportedly convinced free-agent JaVale McGee to sign a deal in the hope of making a late run and advance to the 2015 NBA Playoffs, ESPN reported.
According to Jeff Goodman of ESPN, no deal has been signed at this point, but the two sides have reportedly agreed to a contract that will run until after the 2015-16 NBA season.
In an interview with The Sports Hub on Thursday morning, Celtics president of basketball operations confirmed that they are nearing a deal with McGee, who was recently waived by the Philadelphia 76ers after acquiring him in a trade with the Denver Nuggets before the trade deadline last month.
Ainge believes McGee will bring new dimension to the Celtics and could help them get over the hump as they are chasing one of the eight playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics are currently in 11th place in the East with their 24-35 record, but are just two games behind the eighth-placed Charlotte Hornets (26-33).
"JaVale is a long, athletic guy," Ainge said of McGee via ESPN. "We don't have that type of player -- an above the rim, offensive and defensive player."
McGee, who is playing in his seventh year in the league, has only played in 23 games this season, where he averaged 4.6 points and 2.7 rebounds in 11.1 minutes per contest.
The 27-year-old center is usually criticized for his inconsistencies and bad decision-making, but Ainge is hoping that McGee would improve and shine under Celtics coach Brad Stevens moving forward.
"He's been paid a lot of money in our league, had some injuries, hasn't lived up to his potential yet, and we're hoping that he can under Brad's tutelage," Ainge said. "I think he's in a good place, emotionally and mentally, and he really wants to get his career on the right path."
McGee, the 18th overall pick by the Washington Wizards during the 2008 NBA Draft, holds a career average of 8.4 points and 5.5 rebounds to go along with 1.8 blocks per game. He could get heavy minutes in Boston after the Celtics lost Jared Sullinger to a foot injury.
Before agreeing to sign with the Celtics, playoff-contending teams Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors reportedly expressed interest in acquiring the former Nevada standout.
