The David Lee thread

[MissileMike]

Mods feel free to lock if you think this is redundant.

The least talked about possible target for the Bulls is David Lee:

According to KC, the bulls will "have a sit down" with Lee today:

Lee Pros:
-Excellent Rebounder
-Cheapest of all the major free agent power forwards.
-Only Bosh is younger
-Decent shooter
-Athletic

Lee Cons:
-Defense
-No post game
-Slightly undersized at the 4
-New York has a financial edge in signing him

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/ ... id=5345105

David Lee was a wanted man after the clock struck midnight Thursday, so wanted that he has already lined up meetings with four teams: Miami, Chicago, Minnesota and New Jersey.

The New York Knicks' forward became an unrestricted free agent, and agent Mark Bartelstein said he was contacted by eight or nine teams that had expressed an interest in signing Lee.


Sheridan: Lee's Plans

The Nets might be the wild card in the David Lee chase, Chris Sheridan writes. Blog

The Bulls and Heat are expected to sit down with Lee on Friday in Chicago -- it was uncertain who would go first -- before Lee travels to Minnesota on Saturday to speak to the Timberwolves.

Lee is one of the keys to the Knicks' free-agency plans because he can be used in a sign-and-trade deal in which he would receive a six-year contract with 10.5 percent annual raises. If Lee signs with another team and there is no sign-and-trade, he could sign for a maximum of five years with 8 percent annual raises.

"We're going to stay in communication [with New York], but they're kind of doing their thing and we're kind of doing our thing, and we'll see if the timing works out for each other," Bartelstein said. "This stuff, something could happen at any time. There's no way to predict the timing of it."

Lee, a five-year veteran, averaged 20.2 points (15th in the NBA) and 11.7 rebounds (fourth in the league) last season in 81 games, all starts, with 53 double-doubles and 32 20-point, 10-rebound games.

Is there any other Lee news I am missing?

[Ajosu]

I wouldn't say Lee is undersized for a 4 at all. And he sure seems to score a lot, and efficiently, for a guy who has no post game.

[SpinninHouse]

he appears to be less injury prone than carlos boozer.

[ACE20004U]

I'm a big fan of Lee, he seems like the most consistent out there outside of Bosh maybe. He's still young and getting better too. I also think his defensive deficencies wouldn't be so bad here because he would be defending 4's instead of 5's and playing on a team that focuses on defense. Of course I am curious, as the thread I started says, who out of Boozer & Lee does Lebron prefer?

[ChiCitySPORTS#1]

Boozer is more talented imo I prefer him a lot more

[cubbiefan009]

I think he's undersized at the 5 not the 4...he's a perfect PF.

[cars4978]

I'm a fan of David Lee to an extent. He's a very good energy guy, grabs a lot of rebounds, is a good ball handler for a 4, and a fantastic passer as a big man.

He is slightly undersized like Boozer is. He doesn't have the post game of a Boozer or a Bosh.

At 26 he can still develop a post game but seems to have made more strides as an outside shooter. So he should be good in a pick and roll game with Rose.

[Ajosu]

Boozer is more talented imo I prefer him a lot more

You might prefer him "a lot more," but he's not "a lot more" talented that Lee. Boozer can bang in the post better, but Lee can score right with him, and doesn't have the red flags.

[ACE20004U]

I like Boozer but my concern is after he signed that big contract he was more injured than not, the Bulls need someone who will be consistent and doesn't have huge red flags for injuries IMO. I don't think Boozer is a whole lot more talented than Lee, they both offer different skill sets but they are ...ehhh..in the same ballpark (or basketball court if you prefer).

[PJ Brown]

Depending on other moves and circumstances, Lee wouldn't break my heart. I like that he's younger and healthier than Boozer and Amare. Even if he isn't "worth the max," he's much more likely to be a solid contributor for the length of the deal than those guys.

[ACE20004U]

Yeah and the fact taht his max is 3mil less than other guys max makes him more worth the max IMO.

[BeKuK]

Not easy to choose one of them! I would take............ Boozer..?..No..!! Lee??.....No!!.....I don't know!


Edit: If we got Lebron...I would take Lee!

[SpinninHouse]

there is a thread on Lee's rounding on the knicks forum. every posters on the knicks forum basically says he's an incredible top tier rebounder. i think you bring him in. pair him with Noah and we could lead the league the rebounding (seriously).

assuming Lee demands 5-years/$75M, maybe we give Reddick 4-years/$30M, and re-sign Brad Miller for 2-years/$8M. to me we'd be a complete team and very deep. the man thing it would allow is for us to take the reigns completely off Derrick Rose and let him lead this team.

5 Noah
4 Lee
3 Deng
2 Reddick
1 Rose

6 Gibson
7 Miller
8 Pargo

Most Bulls fans will be gravely disappointed with this off-season but I think this team competes. I really do. Obviously Lebron is the big fish and Chris Bosh is close behind him. But Lee is 20 and 11 and he shoots over 50% FG. you gotta look very seriously at him...

[Ajosu]

I'd be happy with either one. I'm just saying if I have to choose, I give the slight edge to Lee. Similar production, more dependable/durable.

[ACE20004U]

there is a thread on Lee's rounding on the knicks forum. every posters on the knicks forum basically says he's an incredible top tier rebounder. i think you bring him in. pair him with Noah and we could lead the league the rebounding (seriously).

assuming Lee demands 5-years/$75M, maybe we give Reddick 4-years/$30M, and re-sign Brad Miller for 2-years/$8M. to me we'd be a complete team and very deep. the man thing it would allow is for us to take the reigns completely off Derrick Rose and let him lead this team.

5 Noah
4 Lee
3 Deng
2 Reddick
1 Rose

6 Gibson
7 Miller
8 Pargo

Most Bulls fans will be gravely disappointed with this off-season but I think this team competes. I really do. Obviously Lebron is the big fish and Chris Bosh is close behind him. But Lee is 20 and 11 and he shoots over 50% FG. you gotta look very seriously at him...

Good post, if we have to explore other options then thats what we have to do, better have some plan in mind and this is as good as any. I am still hoping we can get Lebron though. I think Lebron and Lee would be my third favorite possible outcome behind Lebron & Wade & Lebron & Bosh.

[MGB8]

If we can get Lebron - it's his choice. If we can't, I was more leaning towards Boozer, but with the super teams out there, I'm actually leaning towards Lee. Lee has less wear on him, and still has a little bit of upside left. Boozer is what he is. Very solid, 20/10 guy, but not "special."

[Shogun12]

I don't think I, or anyone else, would have an issue with signing Lee if we were able to sign LeBron or even Joe Johnson. But signing David Lee for 13.5 million dollars, and then overpaying J.J. Reddick or Kyle Korver, isn't what I would have considered a successful off-season before FA began. At this point, we may very well have no other choice, but I can't imagine those 2,000 new season ticket holders would be pleased if the above scenario played out.

I suspect the following line-up is a #5 seed, at best, and a 40-win team, at worst (injuries, etc), in a re-tooled Eastern Conference:

PG-Rose
SG-Reddick
SF-Deng
PF-Lee
C-Noah

The other problem with this line-up is that it really doesn't have the long-term potential to be a championship team.

[umfan83]

Do the Knicks really have a financial advantage? Didn't they have to renounce him before doing this whole FA process, meaning he loses his bird rights? Or do they not have to renounce him until they have someone ready to sign?

[cars4978]

Durability is a concern, and should be a huge concern for Chris Bosh as well.

Last 5 years for Bosh, games played: 70, 69, 67, 77, 70
Last 5 years for Boozer, games played: 33, 74, 81, 37, 78
Last 5 years for Lee, games played: 67, 58, 81, 81, 81

Obviously Lee's had a much better history.

[ballerkingn2]

I like lee just not that much enough being we have taj who can do the equivalent amount of stuff at a cheaper rate. Where we can use that $$ elsewhere maybe for a trade A.I if possible,and upgrade our 2 spot.