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McGee says he still wants to remain a Sixer

    by Keith Pompey, The Philadelphia Inquirer
    Published 

INDIANAPOLIS – Did JaVale McGee change is his mind?

There's a report that the recently acquired 76ers center's representatives were engaged in buyout talks with the franchise Sunday in advance of the midnight playoff-eligibility deadline.

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

"Not on my part, it's not true," McGee said of the report before Sunday's game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse."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, did say that his preference was to remain with the Sixers.

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

The Sixers acquired the 27-year-old along with the Oklahoma City Thunders' protected top-18 first-round pick from the Denver Nuggets.

The Sixers took on the remainder of McGee's $11.25 million salary this season and his $12 million deal next season to secure the draft pick. The team was expected to buy out his contract shortly after the trade.

"I don't want to get bought out," McGee said the day after the trade. "That's not a positive thing. When you think about it, you don't get all of your money when you get bought out.

"So it doesn't make sense why someone would want to get bought out unless they are older - older and they want to go to a contender or something. I'm not that old. I just want to play basketball."

Follow and contact Inquirer 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter @PompeyOnSixers and on Instagram at PompeyOnSixers