One of Donnie Walsh’s first critical decisions is whether to lock up the Knicks’ best young prospects at the expense of cap space in 2010. The players and their agents are watching intently.

“Donnie’s got to do what he thinks is best for the Knicks,” said Lee’s agent, Mark Bartelstein.

But, Bartelstein noted: “The reason why you try to create cap space is to try to get really good young players. I don’t know how much better you’re going to get than David Lee.”

Lee, who is averaging 10.8 points and 8.9 rebounds, has improved every year and is probably the Knicks’ most coveted player around the league. One rival agent, citing Lee’s talent, upside and popularity, suggested he could seek a maximum contract — in the range of $13 million a season. The agent did not want to be identified talking about a player who was not his client.





This is why Id rather trade him into the draft now. There might be a team that next year offers lee[and EVERYONE overpays in FA] 10-11 mm over 5 years--then we have to decide whether or not that whole cap space gig was anything serious because it will be over if Jamal opts out and Lee gets paid on top of what we owe. I will say it again--I know the Knicks management doesnt listen---get the highest pick you can for Lee--of course it has to be 8-13 and rebuild the team while saving the salary structure.

agreed -I'd rather play Balkman anyway. I think if we can get a real defending center, you can put a better team on the floor with Zach and Balkman or Zach and Chandler at the 3-4 slots than with Lee out there anyway.


Lee can't think he's getting max dollars. He's just floating that out there so he gets shipped out of this mess.

Posted by Allanfan20:

What would you rather do? Trade Lee alone for a lotto pick? Or trade Lee and Zach for expiring contracts and a late first rounder, like in the 20s.

Lee and Zach for expiring contracts.

Buh-bye

Lee would not get the maximum from any team. His agent might ask for it, but he won't get it.

Posted by islesfan:

Buh-bye

I was waiving a long time ago. No one would listen and now we're going to be facing some very tough forks in the road. Why we thought he could be retained in the $7mil/yr range is baffling. This team is going to be fun to watch next yr with all the egendas going strong. Marbury proving he's still got it. Aaron Goodwin blwoing up Nate's immature head so he can get his deal. Bartlestien ditto Lee. Then Zach and Curry will be trying to find themselves. DW better do the inevitable and that's push the RESET BUTTON and start over.

he has the team by the balls. i would ask for the max too seeing how they have $12 mil a year tied up to 4J...

Trueblue tried to tell us. Captain Obvious strikes again!

I have flip flopped my ideas on David Lee so much it aint funny. Isiah should have never picked up Zach....dumbest **** ever.

No biggie. Donnie is here. All this **** is gonna get sorted out. Anybody at this point can be traded.

If the goal is to get under the cap (which it should be), then you need to trade Lee with Zach or Eddy or Jamal (or ideally more than one of them). If the goal is to re-tool like all decade, then you can't afford to lose Lee and have to give him whatever it takes to keep him.

They will have to make a decision on Lee this summer. Either they pay him 5-6 years at 10mm $ or some other team will *force* them to do so next year--it's pretty simple. It is possible to get nice compensation for him now--next year we could get nothing. If he goes for nothing--then you did set your franchise back---but I cant see the Knicks doing that. I would not play Russian roulette here either.

We usually underrate our players and over rate others as part of being a fan.

THe question is Lee a starter, get starter minutes and get paid starter wage.

The kid can score, can rebound, very good passer and hustle player.

How stupid is Zach on the roster? Lee as a middle round pick in a trade is not real good, you can get a bust and waste it all.

Its tough to value him. Malik makes 7 mil, Jerome gets 5 and does nothing, Q makes big money and these are our 2nd tier players. Lee should make more than Jeffries.

This is the knicks, and Lee does not make the market, he just looks around and sees what other players make and figures its over 10mil a year.

It don't hurt to try. If he can get max money from other teams thats one thing. If Donnie wants to make it seem like getting under the cap is big and appears to let Lee walk he can get an offer that we can match, or force a sign and trade for a team that really really wants to get him and will make us an offer we can't refuse.