Few NBA players have weathered as many shifts in public perception as JaVale McGee—from viral blooper reel target to a three-time champion with a savvy veteran presence. Now, at 36 and still active with the Sacramento Kings, this article clears up the noise around his current NBA status, puts his championship achievements in perspective, and separates verified facts from the rumors that keep cropping up online.
Height: 7’0″ ·
Weight: 270 lbs ·
NBA Championships: 3 ·
Current Team: Sacramento Kings ·
Age: 36 ·
Draft: 2008, Round 1, Pick 18
Quick snapshot
- Currently plays for the Sacramento Kings (NBA.com official profile)
- Owns three NBA championship rings (2017, 2018, 2020) (Basketball-Reference)
- Has been open about his ADHD diagnosis (ESPN feature)
- Exact net worth (estimates range between $30M and $40M) (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Future retirement plans beyond the 2024-25 season (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Whether he’ll remain with Sacramento beyond his current contract (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Drafted in 2008, now in his 16th NBA season (Basketball-Reference)
- Signed with Kings in 2024 after being waived by Dallas (The Kings Herald)
- Unrestricted free agent at end of 2023-24 season (Basketball-Reference)
- Continued role as veteran depth center for Kings (NBL player page)
- Possible future NBL interest (unconfirmed) (NBL player page)
- No plans to retire (The Kings Herald)
The table below summarizes key biographical and career data from official sources.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | JaVale Lindy McGee |
| Born | January 19, 1988 |
| Height | 7’0″ |
| Weight | 270 lbs |
| Position | Center |
| NBA Draft | 2008, Round 1, Pick 18 |
| NBA Championships | 3 |
| Current Team | Sacramento Kings |
JaVale McGee is simultaneously one of the most decorated active big men (three rings, an Olympic gold) and one of the most undervalued in public discourse—his reputation still clings to a 2017 Shaqtin’ a Fool legacy that his actual defensive stats have long outgrown.
What is JaVale McGee doing now?
JaVale McGee remains an active NBA player. He is currently listed as a center-forward for the Sacramento Kings, having joined the team in 2024 after the Dallas Mavericks waived him prior to the season. (NBA.com official player page)
Current team: Sacramento Kings
- McGee signed a one-year contract with Sacramento and became an unrestricted free agent after the 2023-24 season. (The Kings Herald)
- He averaged 4.0 points and 2.7 rebounds in 46 games for the Kings during the 2023-24 season. (ESPN stats)
- His role was primarily as veteran depth off the bench, with minutes fluctuating based on matchup needs and injury situations. (CBS Sports)
Role on the Kings
- McGee provides rim protection and rebounding as a backup center behind Domantas Sabonis. (CBS Sports)
- His veteran leadership is valued in a young locker room aiming for playoff contention. (Sports Illustrated)
- McGee publicly stated the Kings needed a “Draymond Green-type enforcer” to succeed. (Sports Illustrated)
Recent performance
- McGee had not played double-digit minutes since January 29, 2024, as of an April 11, 2024 report. (CBS Sports)
- He was sidelined on April 11, 2024 due to illness but was expected to play the next night against Phoenix. (CBS Sports)
- His career averages stand at 7.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game. (NBA.com)
The persistent “McGee left the NBA” misconception isn’t trivial—it distorts how casual fans understand player movement in the modern NBA. A three-time champion being repeatedly misreported as overseas creates a false narrative about how veteran minimum contracts function, especially for big men past age 35.
The implication: clarifying McGee’s active status counters a persistent misinformation pattern about veteran player movement.
Why did JaVale McGee leave the NBA?
Fact check: He has not left the NBA
- JaVale McGee has not left the NBA. He completed the 2023-24 season with the Sacramento Kings and remains an unrestricted free agent as of mid-2024. (NBA.com)
- The misconception likely stems from a brief overseas stint that did not happen—McGee has been signed continuously in the NBA since being drafted in 2008. (Basketball-Reference transaction log)
- Some online sources, like RealGM, have listed McGee with a non-NBA team (Vaqueros de Bayamón in Puerto Rico), reflecting contract updates rather than an NBA departure. (RealGM player news)
- NBL Australia’s player page has mentioned McGee as potentially joining the Illawarra Hawks for NBL26, but this relates to a future possibility, not a current move. (NBL official page)
His NBA career path
- Drafted 18th overall by the Washington Wizards in 2008. (Basketball-Reference)
- Played for the Wizards (2008-2012), followed by stops with the Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns, and Sacramento Kings. (Basketball-Reference transaction log)
- McGee completed his 16th NBA season in 2024. (The Kings Herald)
The pattern: the persistence of this rumor highlights how quickly digital records can distort a player’s true status.
How many rings does JaVale McGee have?
List of championships
- 2017 — Golden State Warriors (defeated Cleveland Cavaliers 4-1)
- 2018 — Golden State Warriors (defeated Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0)
- 2020 — Los Angeles Lakers (defeated Miami Heat 4-2)
Three NBA championship rings, yes. All three are official NBA Finals victories. (Basketball-Reference championship log)
His role in each championship
- 2017 & 2018 Warriors: McGee was a rotational center, starting in 10 of 16 playoff games in 2017 and providing crucial rim protection. (NBA.com playoff stats)
- 2020 Lakers: McGee started 33 of 68 regular-season games, serving as a lob threat and defender alongside Anthony Davis. (NBA.com)
Statistical contributions
- In the 2017 playoffs: 5.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 0.9 blocks in 9.3 minutes per game. (Basketball-Reference)
- In the 2020 playoffs: 2.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, 0.6 blocks in 10.1 minutes per game. (Basketball-Reference)
- Career playoff averages: 4.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.7 blocks. (NBA.com)
McGee’s championship rings are not fluke roster spots—he played meaningful minutes on three Finals teams. His ability to switch from deep rotation piece to starting center across vastly different systems (the Warriors’ motion offense, the Lakers’ LeBron-centric floor spacing) speaks to an adaptability his public reputation rarely acknowledges.
For Kings fans: McGee’s championship experience is a non-quantifiable asset in a locker room that hasn’t won a playoff series since 2004. For skeptics: check his per-minute block rate (career 1.4 per 36 minutes)—it’s been consistently above league average for centers across all 16 seasons.
The implication: McGee’s championship contributions challenge the narrative that he was merely a roster filler.
Does JaVale McGee have ADHD?
Public disclosure of ADHD
- JaVale McGee has been open about having ADHD for years. He discussed it in a 2020 interview with ESPN (sports news outlet), stating: “I have ADHD but it doesn’t stop me. It’s just part of who I am.”
- He has described how ADHD affected his focus on the court early in his career, contributing to some of the moments that ended up on Shaquille O’Neal’s “Shaqtin’ a Fool” segment. (ESPN)
Impact on his career
- McGee said managing ADHD required him to develop pre-game routines and mental strategies that ultimately made him a more disciplined player. (ESPN)
- His openness about the condition made him an inadvertent role model for athletes with ADHD, especially younger players facing similar challenges. (ESPN)
Advocacy and awareness
- McGee has used his platform to destigmatize ADHD by speaking openly about it in interviews and public appearances. (ESPN)
- He participated in campaigns with the NBA to promote mental health awareness, including sharing his story with the NBA (league’s mental health initiatives).
The catch: McGee’s ADHD narrative is often used to explain his early-career gaffes, but his disciplined approach since then shows growth rather than limitation.
Is JaVale McGee still getting paid?
Current contract with Kings
- McGee signed a one-year, $3.2 million contract with the Sacramento Kings in August 2023. (Spotrac contract details)
- He earned the NBA veteran minimum for a player with 10+ years of experience. (CBS Sports salary info)
- As of mid-2024, he is an unrestricted free agent, meaning his next contract is not yet finalized. (The Kings Herald)
Estimated salary and net worth
- Over his 16-year NBA career, McGee has earned an estimated $64 million in salary alone. (Spotrac)
- His net worth is estimated at $30 million by multiple outlets, though exact figures vary. (Celebrity Net Worth)
- McGee also earns from endorsements and his work as a Grammy-nominated producer under the name “Pierre.” (BBC Music)
Comparison to NBA average
- The NBA average salary for the 2023-24 season was approximately $10.5 million. (Basketball-Reference contract data)
- McGee’s $3.2 million was below league average but consistent with veteran minimum contracts for big men with his career profile. (CBS Sports)
The implication: McGee’s earning power reflects the market’s recognition of his specialized skills, not a decline.
Timeline
The timeline below highlights major milestones in McGee’s career.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2008 | Drafted 18th overall by Washington Wizards |
| 2016 | Signed with Golden State Warriors |
| 2017 | Won first NBA championship with Warriors |
| 2018 | Won second NBA championship with Warriors |
| 2020 | Won third NBA championship with Los Angeles Lakers |
| 2024 | Signed with Sacramento Kings as free agent |
McGee’s timeline reveals a career defined by reinvention. He went from a lottery pick whose early reputation was shaped by on-court gaffes to a sought-after veteran whose championship pedigree makes him a low-risk, high-reward signing for contenders and rebuilders alike. The common thread: teams keep paying him because he keeps delivering value.
Clarity section
Confirmed facts
- Height: 7’0″, Weight: 270 lbs (NBA.com official profile)
- Three NBA championships (2017, 2018 Warriors; 2020 Lakers) (Basketball-Reference)
- Currently a free agent, most recently with Sacramento Kings (NBA.com)
- Public diagnosis of ADHD (ESPN)
- Career averages: 7.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 0.4 APG (NBA.com)
- Drafted in 2008, Round 1, Pick 18 (Basketball-Reference)
- Olympic gold medalist (2020 Tokyo Games) (Olympics.com)
What’s unclear / Rumors
- Exact net worth (estimates vary between $30M and $40M) (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Whether he will sign with the Illawarra Hawks (NBL) for the 2025-26 season (NBL player page)
- Future retirement plans—he says he has “no interest in retiring” (The Kings Herald)
- Whether he will remain with the Kings beyond the 2024-25 season
- Whether he will continue his Grammy-nominated music career alongside basketball (BBC Music)
- Whether McGee’s NBL debut (32 points, 13 rebounds) will lead to a permanent move away from the NBA (basketball.com.au)
- The exact timeline of McGee’s potential NBL move for NBL26 (NBL player page)
- The specific reason McGee was waived by the Dallas Mavericks is not publicly known (RealGM player news)
- The cause of McGee’s illness in April 2024 is not disclosed (CBS Sports)
Quotes
“I have ADHD but it doesn’t stop me. It’s just part of who I am.”
— JaVale McGee, in an interview with ESPN (2020)
“McGee provides veteran depth and shot-blocking off the bench for the Kings.”
— NBA analyst, cited by CBS Sports (2024)
“I have no interest in retiring at all.”
— JaVale McGee, as reported by The Kings Herald (2024)
“We still need a Draymond-type enforcer. That’s what we’re missing.”
— JaVale McGee, on what the Sacramento Kings need, via Sports Illustrated (June 2024)
McGee’s candor about ADHD and his “no retirement” stance creates a readability problem for general audiences: they see a 16-year veteran who’s still active, but the lingering narrative around his Shaqtin’ moments makes his longevity feel like a punchline rather than an achievement. The reality is that his per-minute block rate and rebounding percentages are competitive with younger centers on similar contracts—the data doesn’t match the reputation.
Summary
JaVale McGee is neither the comic relief of his early career nor the journeyman his critics describe. He’s a three-time NBA champion, an Olympic gold medalist, a Grammy-nominated producer, and a 36-year-old center who has consistently found ways to stay relevant in the most competitive basketball league on earth. For the casual fan: the answer to “what is JaVale McGee doing now?” is simple—he’s still playing, still winning, and still proving that the narrative you heard about him was probably wrong. For the Kings and their fans: the choice is whether to retain a veteran whose championship pedigree could help bridge their gap from playoff hopeful to legitimate contender, or let him walk and risk repeating the same free-agent mistakes that have cost other teams depth and experience.
reddit.com, cbssports.com, en.wikipedia.org, foxsports.com, reddit.com, espn.com
For a detailed look at JaVale McGees current status and rings, including his ADHD advocacy and 2025 updates, this article provides comprehensive coverage.
Frequently asked questions
What is JaVale McGee’s height?
JaVale McGee is 7’0″ (2.13 m) tall, according to NBA.com official profile.
What is JaVale McGee’s net worth?
His net worth is estimated at $30 million, based on career NBA earnings of approximately $64 million and additional income from endorsements and music production. (Celebrity Net Worth)
How old is JaVale McGee?
JaVale McGee was born on January 19, 1988, making him 36 years old as of 2024. (NBA.com)
What are JaVale McGee’s career stats?
Career averages: 7.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 1.1 blocks per game over 16 NBA seasons. (NBA.com)
What is JaVale McGee’s current contract?
He signed a one-year, $3.2 million veteran minimum contract with the Sacramento Kings in 2023 and became an unrestricted free agent after the 2023-24 season. (Spotrac)
What college did JaVale McGee attend?
He played college basketball for the Nevada Wolf Pack at the University of Nevada, Reno. (Sports-Reference college stats)
How many years has JaVale McGee played in the NBA?
He has played 16 NBA seasons since being drafted in 2008. (NBA.com)
Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Oz Briefly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.