7 JaVale McGee C

McGee produced 22 points (10-16 FG, 0-2 #Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, three assists, two blocked shots and a steal across 26 minutes in Sunday's 113-109 win over the Jazz.

Save Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, McGee is the only active player who was on the Lakers roster on day one of the season. The center has been rock-solid among a rag-tag group of newcomers, call-ups and third-unit players as the season draws to a close. The Lakers are likely to land a marquee player in the off-season If the players last name is Davis, McGee may become somewhat expendable, but otherwise, McGee has done more than enough to warrant a starting role next year.

McGee totaled 18 points (9-12 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 0-2 FT), 10 rebounds and three blocks across 26 minutes in the Lakers' win over the Clippers on Friday.

McGee turned in another double-double and swatted three shots in Friday's win. Over his last nine games, McGee has averaged 17.2 points, 13.0 rebounds and 2.9 blocks, making him an appealing daily option with an affordable price point.

McGee furnished eight points (4-8 FG), 13 rebounds, one assist and three blocks across 21 minutes in the Lakers' 108-90 loss to the Warriors on Thursday.

McGee was more subdued on the offensive end than in recent games, but he still managed at least a 50.0 percent success rate from the field for the fourth straight contest. Moreover, the veteran generated what was his seventh double-digit rebounding effort of the last nine games while logging multiple swats for the seventh time during that span as well. With the Lakers missing multiple front-line players the rest of the way, McGee figures to continue holding down a sizable role for the last three games of the campaign.

McGee tallied 23 points (9-15 FG, 5-7 FT), 16 rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in 33 minutes Sunday in the Lakers' 130-102 win over the Pelicans.

McGee's minutes and production has fluctuated wildly all season, but he's currently enjoying one of his upward-trending periods as one of the few core pieces left standing for the lottery-bound Lakers. Since mid-March, McGee is averaging 17.4 points (on 65.7 percent shooting from the field), 13.0 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and 1.0 steal in 29.7 minutes per game over a stretch of nine contests. With the Lakers set for a four-game week, McGee looks like a must-start player.

McGee amassed 16 points (7-15 FG, 2-2 FT), 13 rebounds, two blocks, and one assist in 30 minutes during Wednesday's 115-100 loss to the Jazz.

McGee was a bright spot for the Lakers on Wednesday, continuing to put up impressive numbers during what has been a stellar late-season resurgence. His playing time had been trending down but that has reversed course over the past couple of weeks. Those lucky enough to snap him up off waivers are certainly reaping the benefits and the playing time looks set to continue moving forward.