Sixers Notes: Sixers waive JaVale McGee

INDIANAPOLIS - JaVale McGee was able to keep all of his money.

The former 76ers big man was opposed to being bought out, because that wouldn't enable him to receive his full salary. So the Sixers agreed to waive the 7-footer Sunday night after a 94-74 setback to the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldnouse.

He is eligible to join a postseason team once he clear waivers since he was released before the midnight postseason eligibility deadline.

The Sixers (13-46) also have to pay McGee, the salary that he's owned since he didn't take the buyout.

The franchise took on the remainder of McGee's $11.25 million salary this season and his $12 million deal next season when they acquired him a trade from the Denver Nuggets on Feb. 19

It was reported the representatives of McGee were engaged in buyout talks with the Sixers on Sunday.

The 7-footer initially said he didn't want to be bought out after he came to the Sixers in a trade with the Denver Nuggets on Feb. 19. However, according to reports, he had his representatives pursue teams interested in signing him once he clears waivers before signing off on a buyout.

"Not on my part - it's not true," McGee said before Sunday's game. "They might be talking to somebody. But the people I talked to, I haven't [heard anything]. And I know nothing about it."

The seventh-year veteran was asked if he was open to going to another team. "I really don't have a choice if it happens," McGee said. "It's not really an open or a close. I play basketball. That's what I do. It's a business."

However, he did say his preference was to remain with the Sixers.

"I hope it's false," McGee said before Sunday's game. "But you never know, though. You hear stories all the time. I didn't hear anything about coming to Philly. So you never know."

Sixers coach Brett Brown was asked about the team's buyout attempt with McGee before the game.

"I'm leaving that all with [general manager] Sam [Hinkie]," Brown said. "I've heard about it. I know all about it. But I'm just leaving that all up with Sam.

"He's in the locker room. And I'm getting ready to play him."

Hinkie could not be reached for comment.

The Sixers acquired McGee, 27, from the Nuggets along with Oklahoma City's top-18 protected draft pick. The Nuggets received the draft rights to Turkish guard Cenk Akyol.

The team was expected to buy out his contract shortly after the trade.

But he was waived Sunday.

McGee avareged 3 points and 2.2 rebounds in limited playing in six games with the Sixers. He had  3 points and a block in 7 minutes, 56 seconds against the Pacers on Sunday.

Christian Welp, the 7-foot German center who was drafted No. 16 overall by the Sixers in 1987, has died at age 51, the University of Washington announced. No details were provided. He played two seasons with the Sixers and split the 1989-90 season with Golden State and San Antonio. He is the Huskies' all-time leading scorer.