Warriors Nabs Lee In Sign And Trade With The Knicks
The New York Knicks were hoping to land at least two marquee free agents this summer. The team did drastic salary cap reduction by trading away players with fat contracts. Most of those fat contracts were signed during Isaiah Thomas’ forgettable reign as the Knicks’ coach and general manager.
They were able to sign Amare Stoudemire to a long term contract but the problem was that Stoudemire played the same position as New York’s best player, David Lee. The 6’9’’, 250 pound Lee had the best year of his short career in 2010. He was so good that he was named as one of the Eastern Conference All Stars. But now that the Knicks have Stoudemire, Lee needs to play somewhere else.
Reports are out that a sign-and-trade deal between the New York Knicks and the Golden State Warriors is already official. In that deal, New York will ship Lee to the Golden State for Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiaf and Kelenna Azubuike. The deal is New York’s plan B. Plan A of course is signing LeBron James but since the former Cleveland Cavalier superstar expressed his intent to join fellow All Stars Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, there New York-Golden State deal push through.
Lee was selected 30th overall by the Knicks in the 2005 NBA Draft but he has went on to outperform many of the players selected before him.
Lee will be a good fit for the Warriors for the simple fact that Lee plays very hard and with tons of energy. The Warriors thought that they were set with a solid big man with they signed Andris Biedrins to an expensive contract but Biedrins player poorly the year after he got the contract extension.
The Golden State Warriors will still rely on their guards to shoulder most of the offense for them. Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry are both prolific scorers who could light up the scoreboard any time they choose to. What Lee brings in to the team is a low post threat on offense and rebounding.
Lee averaged 20.2 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, a steal, and 0.5 blocks per game last year. He is a vigorous rebounder who could run the break but also has a dependable mid-range jumper that ensures that his defender has to stay on him even if he is not on the low block.
Don Nelson, the head coach of the Golden State Warriors, likes big guys who play with a lot of energy as he employs a running game that is hinged on getting rebounds and running the break like it is running out of style. He will surely put Lee to good use as Lee rebounds very well and is very athletic.
The former New York Knick will not have a tough time adjusting to Nelson’s system as his former coach, Mike D’Antoni, employs similar tactics. Lee will surely be a big factor in the Golden State Warrior’s drive for the playoff in the upcoming NBA season. Together with Ellis and Curry, the Warriors have a solid and young core they could build around with. However, losing three players to get one means that the Warriors have a few vacant seats to fill and getting players who will complement their own version of the big three will help their cause.
Expect another big year from Lee and another All Star appearance is a definite possibility. If the Warriors find the right pieces to fit their system, a playoff spot is not that far behind.Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz steeped back a little bit after this crazy free agency week, allowing the Warriors to have a fair chance of playing postseason basketball.
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