JaVale McGee Returns to Nuggets as Deal May Be Worth $44 Million

The Denver Nuggets re-signed free agent center JaVale McGee to a multiyear contract, retaining a 7-footer who led the National Basketball Association in blocked shots per game during the 2010-11 season.

McGee, 24, agreed to a four-year deal that’s worth $44 million, Yahoo Sports reported, citing an unidentified person familiar with the negotiations.

The Nuggets acquired McGee from the Washington Wizards on March 15 as part of a three-team trade. He averaged 11.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.16 blocked shots in 61 games, including 45 starts, for Denver and Washington last season.

After becoming a full-time starter in 2010-11, McGee averaged career-highs in points (10.1) and rebounds (8.0) while leading the NBA with 2.44 blocks per game.

To contact the reporter on this story: Erik Matuszewski in New York at matuszewski@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Michael Sillup at msillup@bloomberg.net