3 Former Phoenix Suns Who Could Explode with New Teams in 2022-23

Former Phoenix Suns center JaVale McGee will go off with the Dallas Mavericks

This coming season, Phoenix’s favorite backup big man will go from someone tormented on defense by Luka Doncic to one of his most valuable teammates.

Last year, we saw Doncic run the pick-and-roll more than almost any other player, averaging 13.0 possessions per game, the second most in the league only behind Trae Young. With the Suns also being a pick-and-roll oriented team last season, JaVale McGee should be able to copy his outstanding play off the bench from last year over onto next year with the Mavs.

Whether just setting screens to begin possessions for Doncic or rolling to the basket for finishes, bet on McGee to become an integral part of Dallas’s offense.

Although McGee no longer possesses the quick feet which made him a defender early in his career, his impact as a glass eater should play well in the Lone Star state too. Last season, the Mavs were a bottom-half team in rebound percentage, and even bottom-10 on the offensive boards.

But now, McGee joins Dallas as the tallest player on their roster, also coming off a career-best season in rebounds per 36 minutes. The Mavericks will want to keep him fresh as a backup behind Christian Wood like the Suns did with Ayton. If they do that, there’s no reason why McGee cannot build on his renaissance year in Phoenix and possibly even exceed it.