Not a big fan of McGee's. In fact. I'm not a fan at all. Just because someone blocks a lot of shots, doesn't make them a good defender. Because of the blocks, McGee is probably the most overrated defender in the entire NBA. In truth he flat out sucks at defense - every bit as bad as Hickson, possibly worse.
You provided the quotes from Insider. So, I assume you read them:
Isn't that Hickson's supposed downside - that he barely holds his own against opposing starting centers? Hickson gets abused because he lacks size. McGee gets abused because he lacks smarts. Hickson is not going to have a sudden growth spurt, and McGee isn't about to grow a functional brain. They both are what the are - guys who barely hold their own against other starting centers. They produce on one end, but due to their limitations, give back just as much on the other end.
What we do know is Hickson fits in well and seems to like it here. Will McGee? How long before his incredible stupidity turns the coaches and other players against him? How many guys do you want that basically tread water? How much are you willing to pay them? In terms of net productivity, McGee is basically a taller, dumber, more expensive Hickson. If his net impact is a wash, do we really want to tie up $10 - $12 million a year for the next three years on this fool? I have to think there will be better values out there sometime in the next two years. McGee moves the need at both ends a lot, but unfortunately in opposite directions so that the net impact is the needle remains pretty much straight up and down. If I'm spending $10 - $12 million per year, I want someone who moves the needle in the positive direction.
BNM