Sign-and-trade or one year deal for David Lee

[Andrew]

Source

The only holding out on David Lee's mind right now is mainly the hope that his contract status will be resolved fairly soon. In fact we're hearing through a source tonight that there are "are a couple of sign-and-trades still being considered before a one-year deal is negotiated."

Neither scenario is surprising as it seems that Lee is no longer in New York's long term plans, suggesting they're banking heavily on being able to bring in two noteworthy free agents next offseason. It's not the first time sign-and-trade rumours regarding Lee have gone around this offseason, last time the Bulls were mentioned and while I'm not holding my breath on that happening, I'd certainly like it to happen. Utah is mentioned as a possibility in the article and that would suit New York fine; if they can keep Boozer and get one of the big names next year, they could have an impressive one-two punch. If not, they get the cap relief. Portland has also been mentioned but I'm not so sure about that one, between Lee and Aldridge (if they end up signing him to an extension) they'd be paying a lot of money for one or the other to not get as much PT as either side would like.

If Lee ends up signing the one year qualifying offer, presumably he's gone at the end of the season unless all other plans fall through. However, as the Ben Gordon situation demonstrated a team can't rely on a player showing loyalty when they're not being shown loyalty in return. There'll be a decent amount of interest in Lee and unless he's willing to hang around and be the Knicks' fallback option, I don't see him sticking around.

[hova-]

In my opinion the Knicks are gambling too much on the 2010 FAs. They definitely want to bring in a one-two punch by signing two guys in the FA pool at the end of the season. But it's still quite risky since you never know wether or not LeBron, Wade or Bosh are going to resign with their respective teams. There are still other teams that will have huge cap space next season (for example the Heat, who also have the "tax-free" bonus) who will try to do their best to keep up with the Knicks. NY might have the biggest market, but also some guys on their roster who won't attract any star's attention. (Jeffries, Curry ...).

So to say I would have signed Lee to a more solid contract. I don't think Lee is the guy to demand a lot of money. And despite having some good weaknesses his rebounding is exactly what every team out there needs. That should be rewarded.

[Andrew]

I completely agree, they're really putting all their eggs in one basket here. I guess on the bright side they won't be burdened with a lot of bad contracts as they have been throughout the decade but if they can't land at least one big name and perhaps a second tier free agent to compliment him, then all that cap space will go to waste as they settle on lesser players to fill their roster. Should they succeed it could be a major coup of course and it'll look like a brilliant gamble that paid off, but without a Plan B it's going to be a very ugly situation if it falls through.

[NovU]

I really hope they fail to sign a big name, especially Wade and Lebron. I don't mind about Bosh though. Anyways, I thought they would be more loyal to David Lee as he seemed to possess all star quality/potential.

[Andrew]

They seemed to be really high up on him until last year when his name started surfacing in trade rumours. I suppose if they really like their chances of landing someone like LeBron, Wade or Bosh they feel that they can gamble on Lee leaving and will be able to use that cap space on someone to compliment whichever big name they get. I kind of admire Walsh's courage, if not the approach.

[Andrew]

Sources: Lee to receive 1-year deal

Seems the Knicks haven't been able to work out any suitable sign-and-trade deals, so Lee seems set to be an unrestricted free agent next year. I could see him being a good consolation prize for a team that misses out on one of the top tier free agents, though as I said before I'm not sure it will be the Knicks given their reluctance to commit to him up until this point.

[Martti.]

When Lebron comes to the Knicks, they'll have like 2-3 players on their roster. On a positive note, they'll have money for Bosh too. And a bunch of Minimum contracts.

Lee can now go to a team, that isn't focusing on one player, they may not get.

[NovU]

6to 8 million or more, sounds like a fair deal for the Knicks. Lee was averaging 16ppg and 11.7rpg which are great solid numbers, but BPG seems to lack a bit at 0.3 for an interior player. I'm interested to see how he'll react this upcoming season. He'll need to keep it up to sign a big contract so I think he'll be improved.

[Its_asdf]

Weren't the Knicks at one point considering building around Lee as one of their core players? I don't really know how Lee fell so far in terms of contract negotiations. You'd think that a team that would throw money away at mediocre players wouldn't be afraid to shell out some money for a pretty good up and coming power forward.

[TheOriginalCandyMan]

I think the Knicks are going to get Bosh next year
I consider Lee to be a more unreliable defender than Bosh and Bosh is better than Lee on the offensive side
I think next season's starting lineup for the Knicks season (2010-2011) will be...
C-Chris Bosh
PF- Al Harrington
SF-Wilson Chandler
SG-Possibly a rookie or Larry Hughes
PG-Chris Duhon

[Andrew]

When Lebron comes to the Knicks, they'll have like 2-3 players on their roster. On a positive note, they'll have money for Bosh too. And a bunch of Minimum contracts.

Well, that's the problem. The Knicks are banking on "when" when it's still an "if". Additionally, with the salary cap projected to decrease again next year they might not be able to land a second top tier free agent.

[BOSS]

Sign and trade

[Andrew]

Doesn't sound like that's happening.

[Jeffx]

When Lebron comes to the Knicks......

Ain't happening.

[Andrew]

It'll happen when Dwyane Wade goes to the Bulls.

(Perhaps if we say these things sarcastically, Jeffx, they'll happen. You know, cosmic forces out to prove us wrong and all that.)

[Jeffx]

It'll happen when Dwyane Wade goes to the Bulls.

(Perhaps if we say these things sarcastically, Jeffx, they'll happen. You know, cosmic forces out to prove us wrong and all that.)

You wouldn't believe all the young Knick fans I know who are 100% sure King James will be wearing blue & orange in 2010. It's like talking to a friggin' wall, man. IMO, Bosh is the more realistic choice.

[Andrew]

LeBron to New York seems to hinge upon endorsement dollars and a desire to be a part of the franchise's legacy. With Cleveland being in a position to contend, that doesn't seem enough. If they end up with Bosh though, the efforts to clear cap space won't have been wasted.

[Jeffx]

LeBron to New York seems to hinge upon endorsement dollars and a desire to be a part of the franchise's legacy. With Cleveland being in a position to contend, that doesn't seem enough. If they end up with Bosh though, the efforts to clear cap space won't have been wasted.

Walsh might have cap space to sign two quality FAs if he can find a sucker for Curry's fat ass.

[NovU]

I will be happy as long as it's not Wade that's going to be moved. Maybe Maimi could land David Lee. We will be a formidable force in East with Wade and Lee duo.

[Andrew]

Walsh might have cap space to sign two quality FAs if he can find a sucker for Curry's fat ass.

True, but I doubt it'll happen. With everyone else looking to make a move next offseason, they're unlikely to want to help out New York with expiring contracts in exchange for Curry's deal. I think the Knicks will have better luck hoping that Curry opts out, but I doubt that too. I've got to give it to Paxson, he made the right move there with Curry...even if it opened the door to make some bad moves.

According to this article, a sign-and-trade could still happen with Lee (while Nate Robinson is supposedly returning).

A source said the Robinson situation has dragged on because the Knicks established it as a priority in free agency to determine the fate of restricted free-agent forward David Lee before addressing Robinson. If there is a sign-and-trade done for Lee, pieces brought back could affect how the Knicks look at Robinson.

"Nothing is done yet, but we're talking,'' Lee's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said Tuesday in an interview with FanHouse about his client. "There are still some sign-and-trade scenarios that are being discussed or going back to the Knicks.''

[Jeffx]

I've got to give it to Paxson, he made the right move there with Curry...even if it opened the door to make some bad moves.

I put it more on Isiah's incompetence, Andrew. He actually felt Curry could be a franchise player - yikes!!!!! What does that tell you?

[Andrew]

I'd say that it tells me that Florida International's basketball program doesn't have a bright future.

Still, I have to give Pax credit on the decision to let Curry go since, especially since he's proven to give the wrong players a big payday in the years that have followed. I'd definitely credit Isiah's incompetence for the deal that got done though, even if the pick hasn't quite panned out so far.