3 Players Thunder must pursue with potential $2.5 million DPE following Topic news

JaVale McGee

Recently, we at TI tabbed JaVale McGee as a free agent who could be worth the Thunder taking a shot on with a low-cost deal, and, at a price-point of $2.5 million, there may not be many better options for them to pursue.

Even with 7-footers Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren now teamed up in the frontcourt, this featherweight rotation could still use for another big to have waiting in the reserves. On top of this, considering their championship aspirations, they could certainly benefit from bringing on someone who knows a thing or two about getting over that proverbial hump.

The fellow 7-foot McGee is someone who could provide both of these kinds of attributes to Oklahoma City.

A three-time NBA Champion as a member of both the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers, McGee has proven capable of aiding toward winning basketball in major ways over the years thanks to his elite rim-protecting skills and obscene athletic abilities.

Even this past year in Sacramento, though it was quite apparent that he was past his prime, the 36-year-old still proved to be a competent contributor, as he dropped highly efficient averages of 26.5 points, 18.1 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per 100 possessions all while registering in with an incredibly respectable 109 defensive rating through 46 games played.

Last season while suiting up for the Kings, the veteran big man received a salary of $3.19 million, so it's not as if his wallet would be taking that grave of a hit in an agreement to sign with OKC via the DPE, and, with the potential to add a fourth ring to his collection, the incentives to join the Thunder may be influenced by more than just fiscal gains.