Wolves show interests in David Lee

[Mcfale313]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=16616

David Lee – With LeBron James on their mind, the New York Knicks aren't making Lee a priority going into this summer. While Lee recently said that he could be a nice compliment to James, it doesn't appear as if the Knicks see him in that role, especially at Lee's high asking price. The New Jersey Nets and Minnesota Timberwolves are both interested and there is a good chance Lee will find a new home, and some stability, this summer.

Kahn better not spend our cap space on another F/C, I like David Lee, he did superbly for my fantasy teams last year, but he is the same height as Big Al with less offensive skills and a bit more rebounding skills, basically i think Love will become Lee one day...........so.........why would we be interested in Lee? does that mean we already have an idea about how to ship Al out of town for a wing player?

I thot trading away Al is meant to give more minutes to Milicic, which make the david lee signning even more nonsense....

[Devilzsidewalk]

doesn't surprise me, he knows how to play that and down tempo that Kahn loves. You know how the Knicks were really fun and exciting this year, thats what the Wolves could be like!

[SOUP]

This doesn't make any sense for the Wolves.

[Basti]

the heck???

[revprodeji]

Consider the source. Alex is connected with the magic and some other Eastern teams but to my knowledge he knows jack about the wolves.

It makes no sense if we sell Al for pennies on the dollar because of his defense and then turn around and sign someone at a similar rate that is arguably a worse defender.

[revprodeji]

Also claims we are after Gay.

[Kurosawa]

Absolutely no chance.

It ought to be clear to even the most casual observer that Kahn/Rambis are building a team designed specifically for the triangle. Would David Lee fit into that? I think not.

[Esohny]

[prefuse73]

absolutely no point in speculating until july 1st but,

The only way Lee is here is if KLove is gone. He is a less skilled (slightly), more athletic version of Love in my eyes.

I am expecting us to look at Gay (who even tough he is technically a small forward, I think Wes and Rudy would be a great pair of wings. Rudy plays the role of 1st option SG on offense and guards the less dangerous wing player while Wes plays spot up SF on offense and guards the best wing player.

I can also see Anthony Randolph and Tyrus Thomas get some consideration as both can play back up 3/4 and provide more length and athleticism in the front court.

Darko / (Steisma or Samb or Hollins)
Love / Randolph or Thomas
Wes / Randolph or Thomas / Webster
Gay / Webster
Flynn / Sessions

[Darko Miliminutes]

You guys think that Al and Love's D is chit. Wait until you have to deal with Leefense...it's a joke. Lee is a bum on D.

[jpatrick]

I choose to take this with a grain of salt. Maybe Lee's agent spreading rumors to up his FA value. BUT if we do get Lee, it's officially over between me and Kahn.

[Krapinsky]

I like Lee. He's 20 and 10 and has developed some nice iso moves. His outside shot is still developing to boot. He'd be a good fit offensively. Defensively he's probably no worse than Al. I'm sorry, hate to say it, but David Lee for $10M/year over the next three years is probably better than Jefferson for $14M/year over the next three years.

[Klomp]

I like Lee. He's 20 and 10 and has developed some nice iso moves. His outside shot is still developing to boot. He'd be a good fit offensively. Defensively he's probably no worse than Al. I'm sorry, hate to say it, but David Lee for $10M/year over the next three years is probably better than Jefferson for $14M/year over the next three years.

Yeah, I don't get how this is as bad as you guys are making it out to be.

[Worm Guts]

Absolutely no chance.

It ought to be clear to even the most casual observer that Kahn/Rambis are building a team designed specifically for the triangle. Would David Lee fit into that? I think not.

I don't know that the team is being built for the triangle. It's being built to run, which Lee fits, and possibly to be good defensively, which he doesn't.

[TyKixx]

I think it makes more sense then some of you are giving it credit for. This doesn't necessarily mean we are going to give away AL just to sign Lee. I like the idea, especially and specifically if we end up pulling off some sort of Al for Gay swap. Lee should fit in better than Al.

Just because they are both white and elite rebounders doesn't mean Lee and Love are all that similar. Love is a skilled big who can facilitate the offense. Lee doesn't demand the ball and is happy getting his points by crashing the boards and running the floor. Lee does have an improving offensive game and can be used in pick and rolls, which is really just a bonus since we'd throw the ball into Love and Darko more anyway.

Lee and Love is quicker and more athletic than Al and Love. Something Lee never had in New York is a shot blocker like Darko to watch his back...Oh wait that is exactly what he had, but D'Antoni is completely oblivious to any and all things defense .

Lee is a real stand up guy who plays hard every night. I think he might be willing and comfortable coming off the bench even. I actually think this is a role he could excel at with his high energy. I know what you some of you are thinking... You don't play a guy 10+ million or so to come off the bench. I don't buy that. Starting is for high school. I think we can realistically manage the minutes between Love, Lee, and Darko with all 3 nearing 30 minutes give or take on a given night depending on hot hands and matchups.

Lee is a better fit next to Love & Darko, in our offense (both uptempo and half court), and with Flynn/Rubio. Hypothetically, if we did manage an Al for Gay (or really any wing of equal value) and then signed Lee we would have significantly upgraded our wing positions with the additions of Wes, Web, and whoever we'd acquire for Al... plus, we'd maintain a very strong trio of bigs capable of pounding teams on a given night. Not too mention the newest of the 3 bigs is actually a better fit than his predecessor.

[Foye]

I don't think David Lee is the prototype PF we need.

He's a liability on defense. Even with Darko's solid defense we still need more guys who can protect the rim inside. Adding a bunch of defensive frontcourt liabilities doesn't make you a contender.

If anything our focus should be on a stud defender PF/C.

[Breakdown777]

I can see how this could work, but if it happened I'd still be upset. I mean the major reason(excuse) for shipping out Al has been defense, defense, he doesn't fit in offensively, and defense. If they get Lee, who is not very defensively capable, that just shows that the FO is a bunch of liars.

I'm getting tired of Kahn spinning things to make them sound good, only to make a move that completely contradicts what he said to defend a previous deal. It makes sense to say something like "we love Al, and we would't consider trading him, but you always take phone calls, and it would have to be a good package." something like that raises value. I just get annoyed when he talks about how good someone is, then trades them, or justifys a move by saying it helps our size, defense, cap space, etc....when the next move hurts one or multiple of the justifications.

[dunkonu21]

i have a great idea. Trade Al Jefferson for half his value, then sign David Lee to the max and guage Love's trade value only after we sign Lee. THEN trade Love for Courtney Lee. We'll be the Lee-Orangemen.

[Krapinsky]

I can see how this could work, but if it happened I'd still be upset. I mean the major reason(excuse) for shipping out Al has been defense, defense, he doesn't fit in offensively, and defense. If they get Lee, who is not very defensively capable, that just shows that the FO is a bunch of liars.

I'm getting tired of Kahn spinning things to make them sound good, only to make a move that completely contradicts what he said to defend a previous deal. It makes sense to say something like "we love Al, and we would't consider trading him, but you always take phone calls, and it would have to be a good package." something like that raises value. I just get annoyed when he talks about how good someone is, then trades them, or justifys a move by saying it helps our size, defense, cap space, etc....when the next move hurts one or multiple of the justifications.

When has Kahn ever said they're trading AL because he sucks at defense? To the contrary they're trading Al because they don't think he can play with Love and he doesn't fit with the open court running team they want to instill.

[jordananderson]

I would like David Lee in a Wolves uniform. Lee & Love would be the best rebounding tandem and with Darko and Pekovic off the bench, we would finally have a shape to this rebuilding process. Trade Jefferson & Brewer, Sessions and a future draft pick for Kaman and E. Gordon:

2010/2011 Roster:
PG: Flynn, Rubio
SG: Webster, E.Gordon, Ellington
SF: W.Johnson, L.Hayward
PF: K.Love, D.Lee, Pekovic
C: Kaman, Darko

Just an idea.