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I wanted Milsap more, but there seems to be no one who can afford David Lee right now. The dude's expectations must have dropped significantly considering he'll likely have to play for one year in NY only to look for a new contract next year (which could be even harder).

Even if he's not the PF for this team, is a contract in the $7-8 mill range really that crazy? I would think that he would still be a nice trade asset. I say just offer him $7 mill / year - preferably on a front loaded deal to make him a more valuable trade piece while still leaving more cap room next season. With two high draft picks and David Lee, the Thunder might even be able to trade for something greater than they could get in free agency.

Or is pure cap space that much more valuable than David Lee?

I think that the current decision that the Thunder are choosing is having the flexibility to be able to retain all of their current players long term, versus acquiring additional assets. The team must not feel that Lee is the guy that fills any specific need that would make it a worth-while risk. Right now, I think I agree with them. He doesn't really bring much to the table, from what I've seen, that isn't covered by our current players. I wouldn't be torn up if they brought him in, as I think he's a very solid player, I just think that it would be more of a signing due to convenience than that of an actual fit.

While I agree he doesn't bring too much more to the table, it's still nice to have a double double machine to run with Durant or Green. Durant is the only guy they should have to throw a lot of money at, so I see no need to worry about having the $$ to maintain the core. The sooner they can put together their core the better. Adding Lee just seems to give them another trade asset. If Lee somehow looks like a better fit with Durant, it even lets them get value back for Green without having to worry about filling positional needs.

This team isn't Portland, they aren't going to sign a player with the expectation that he'll be a nice trading piece down the line. Sam Presti is too conservative a GM to make a move like that, and he proved it when he rescinded the Tyson Chandler trade last year.

I'm against David Lee because he's a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad defender. I'm all for finding an upgrade to Jeff Green at PF but David Lee isn't the guy who's going to solve the team's problems.

^^Ouch on the Lee comments.

Is Lee worth his asking price? Not really and he should anticipated that asking for a high price for his services was not the smart way to go. Now he finds himself potentially taking the same road Ben Gordon took last season with the Bulls for a one year deal offer. David Lee to OKC has and will be less likely. Despite his double doubles stats, he isn't a significient upgrade over Jeff Green if the Thunder were looking for better options at PF.

slick_watts wrote:I'm against David Lee because he's a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad defender. I'm all for finding an upgrade to Jeff Green at PF but David Lee isn't the guy who's going to solve the team's problems.

That's why I liked Milsap, but we missed out on him. He would have brought defense and rebounding that Green can't. If the Thunder think they have a legit shot at Bosh or Amar'e, it makes sense to wait it out, but I get the feeling they're just being cheap.

I have no problem if Lee is never a Thunder, as he is a bit overrated, but for $7 mill a season, I think the Thunder could do much worse. If the plan is to get a bigger upgrade to Green, I'd back that 100%... I just hope that is the plan!

His stats are crazy inflated on that Knicks roster. Im pretty sure every GM out there knows it too... The only rebounder on a team that just chucks up shots with a PG that plays 37 minutes a night. The team averaged a 44.5 fg percent, 28th in the league. Putbacks for days. Think to yourself - how does David Lee outdo Dwight Howard in consecutive double doubles. Odd enough they were top two in the statistic and they were surrounded by 3pt chuckers.

David Lee is worth 6.5m max.

Next years draft is loaded with PF .... on the cheap

why buy High ....

I wouldn't waste 11 mil a season on that stat padding, no defence scrub

slick_watts wrote:This team isn't Portland, they aren't going to sign a player with the expectation that he'll be a nice trading piece down the line. Sam Presti is too conservative a GM to make a move like that, and he proved it when he rescinded the Tyson Chandler trade last year.

I'm against David Lee because he's a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad defender. I'm all for finding an upgrade to Jeff Green at PF but David Lee isn't the guy who's going to solve the team's problems.

Who did Portland sign simply to trade him down the line? I don't get the comment.

DaVoiceMaster wrote:

slick_watts wrote:This team isn't Portland, they aren't going to sign a player with the expectation that he'll be a nice trading piece down the line. Sam Presti is too conservative a GM to make a move like that, and he proved it when he rescinded the Tyson Chandler trade last year.

I'm against David Lee because he's a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad defender. I'm all for finding an upgrade to Jeff Green at PF but David Lee isn't the guy who's going to solve the team's problems.

Who did Portland sign simply to trade him down the line? I don't get the comment.

When Portland was going after Turkoglu / Millsap / etc. there was discussion regarding the fact that they have to use their space now even if it's to trade a guy like Millsap later on for a real piece.

Gotcha. Thanks! Hedo they would have kept. Milsap they'd have kept for a year, but I suppose they could have moved him later. I think they'd have rather moved Outlaw though if they had a decent backup PF, especially since Roy asked for one after the playoffs last May.

DaVoiceMaster wrote:Gotcha. Thanks! Hedo they would have kept. Milsap they'd have kept for a year, but I suppose they could have moved him later. I think they'd have rather moved Outlaw though if they had a decent backup PF, especially since Roy asked for one after the playoffs last May.

Yeah but in any event there's obviously a difference in philosophy between the organizations where money spending is concerned.

slick_watts wrote:Yeah but in any event there's obviously a difference in philosophy between the organizations where money spending is concerned.

Until the Thunder show a willingness to shell out the cash, quite a large one. Portland knew they wouldn't be under the cap next season, so Andre puts them even further over the cap next season. Meanwhile, the Thunder haven't shown they're willing to spend much of anything yet. I guess the reason why I brought up Lee in the first place is I'm a bit worried this team won't make the necessary moves to get better. Even Memphis and LA spent their cash, and these are two teams that have always been considered cheap. If Milsap wasn't considered worth the cap space, I wonder who would be. Hopefully it was just a case of not wanting to pay a guy who responded in a contract year.

Once again, I'm actually happy if the Thunder want no part of David Lee or Milsap as long as the team is definitely looking to put out the best team they possibly can. They have incredible assets on top of a stellar young core. If they do nothing this year, that's fine (the young core still needs to develop and grow while there's no rush to get playoff good), but they better strike gold on draft day or in next summer's free agency.

I even remember rumblings (probably just theories, but ones that make you wonder) that the Thunder owner was happy when Chandler failed his physical. I was very happy about his addition, but rather confused when the deal didn't go through.