RealGM

While I'd actually prefer Sheed's defense and likelihood of taking a shorter contract, another option may be developing if teams remain hesistant to offer Lee a large contract. If Sheed doesn't sign here and Lee remains on the market I'd think the C's should take a flier on trying to sign him (I realize this is a longshot). If Lee is hesitant to sign a longer MLE (and he likely is) contract perhaps a short MLE contract on a team with legitamite title aspirations and post season exposure could bolster his value for '10 free agency when more teams are clearing cap space trying to secure a star... some of those teams are going to lose out and still have some cap room. Lee is a decent player trying to cash in, I think if he had played on a team that went deep in the post-season he'd be signed already.

Disclaimer: I know this isn't a likely scenario, just haven't seen Lee tossed around as a possibility, wanted to see what people think.

Nope, he wants way too much money. Plus he's going to want a starting spot which we cannot provide for him.

From what I've seen he's looking for about 9 mil, and teams aren't giving it to him while players like Artest and Sheed are looking at MLE contracts. The market may not give him what he is looking for, which is where this admittedly unlikey scenario comes into play. As for the starters minutes it is true that he could probably get those on a team like Orlando for the MLE if he was willing to take it and have a shot at a ring and bolster his value.

He is a RFA, so any lower offer and NY would just match. If he leaves it will be via sign and trade. He very well could just take the QO and become a UFA next year.

cfan79 wrote:Nope, he wants way too much money. Plus he's going to want a starting spot which we cannot provide for him.

This plus, if we were to get him here, all we could really offer would be the MLE, because I doubt New York would S&T with us. That said, he'd only take a one year deal before the 2010 frenzy and I'd rather have an assured guy in Sheed for three than just lose out on a defenseless post player in one.

canman1971 wrote:He is a RFA, so any lower offer and NY would just match. If he leaves it will be via sign and trade. He very well could just take the QO and become a UFA next year.

Didn't realize he was RFA... kind of null and voids this line of thought. Oh well, it was interesting for the 5 minutes it lasted...

Heh. Wages of Win says he should be a max guy.. <g>