The free agency craze is over in the NBA, and teams have largely built their rosters for next season. There are a few remaining free agents who will sign new contracts over the next several weeks, but a major move changing the league hierarchy would be rather surprising at this point in the offseason. What we will see instead is players signing overseas deals and G League contracts with the hopes of returning to the NBA in the near future.
For some older veterans, however, going overseas likely seals their NBA fate. Former Los Angeles Lakers center JaVale McGee is presumably among them. The 37-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Australian team, Ilawarra Hawks, on Friday, probably ending his chance of coming back to the NBA.
JaVale McGee has agreed to a one-year deal with the Illawarra Hawks, sources told ESPN. The 7-foot centre joins the defending NBL champions following a 16-year NBA career.
— Olgun Uluc (@OlgunUluc) August 1, 2025
Former Lakers Center JaVale McGee Signs a New Deal in Australia
McGee last suited up in the NBA for the Sacramento Kings in the 2023-24 season. He spent last season in Puerto Rico playing for the Vaqueros de Bayamón. Now, he is taking his talents to the National Basketball League to play for the reigning champions, the Illawarra Hawks, who are coached by Jayson Tatum's father, Justin Tatum.
The 16-year NBA veteran isn't a stranger to playing for championship-caliber teams. Not only did McGee play a large role in the Lakers' 2020 championship, but he also won back-to-back titles with the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018. The three-time NBA champion started every game for the Lakers during the 2019-20 regular season, averaging 6.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 16.6 minutes per game.
The seven-footer's career wasn't off to a great start as he struggled to find his footing in Washington after being drafted by the Wizards. After bouncing around the league for over half a decade, he found a good situation in Golden State, thriving as a rim-running lob threat who can also protect the rim.
Considering how athleticism was his biggest strength, it's hard to see McGee turning back the clock during his time in Australia and making a return to the NBA. Regardless, Lakers fans will continue to have fond memories of McGee's time in Los Angeles.