ESPN has reported that the Denver Nuggets have resigned for Wizards center JaVale McGee to a four year contract worth $44 million.

The Wizards traded JaVale McGee for Denver forward/center Nene at last seasons trade deadline. Both players are now under guaranteed contracts through the next four seasons.   On average McGee is set to make 11 million per season, 13 million for Nene. Here is a chart which includes their ages during each year of the contract:

I think they are both overpaid but that is the nature of the business for every starting center in the league. Both of these contracts are far better than the max deal Brook Lopez recently received. Relative to each other it is obvious Nene’s 13 million per is a steal compared to JaVale making 11 million, even considering their respective ages. Nene dramatically changed the teams culture and is overall the better player. This difference allowed us to actually win basketball games. So I am still relatively happy with the trade. I don’t know what better opportunities Grunfeld had but this was good.

Ps: George Karl had a funny quote for the ESPN article saying JaVale McGee “has the moves of a 6-6 player.” This is funny because this is true. It’s also true that McGee usually believes he is a 6-6 player instead of the seven footer he is. Karl will become well aware of this as this new contract plays itself out.