Posted by EnySpree:

David is ****ed...That qualifying offer is probably what the Knicks are offering right now...if the Knicks don't wanna go much higher then what is David gonna do? Is his agent going to allow the qualifying offer to expire hoping to force the Knicks to make sure David is "paid properly"???

No force here on the Knicks part...Knicks actually don't need David Lee. They just drafted the second best power fwd in the draft. They have Darko, Jared, Curry, and could easily slide Al Harrington over to pwr fwd especially with Gallo fully healthy and Wilson coming off a solid year.

I don't feel sorry for David. As soon as he is signed somewhere he needs to fire his agent. Totally played this off-season totally wrong.

If David Lee took the unprecedented step of rejecting the QO and sitting out the season, GMs will question his character and stay far away from him. His agent is dumb but he can't be THAT dumb!

Posted by Bonn1997:

Posted by EnySpree:

David is ****ed...That qualifying offer is probably what the Knicks are offering right now...if the Knicks don't wanna go much higher then what is David gonna do? Is his agent going to allow the qualifying offer to expire hoping to force the Knicks to make sure David is "paid properly"???

No force here on the Knicks part...Knicks actually don't need David Lee. They just drafted the second best power fwd in the draft. They have Darko, Jared, Curry, and could easily slide Al Harrington over to pwr fwd especially with Gallo fully healthy and Wilson coming off a solid year.

I don't feel sorry for David. As soon as he is signed somewhere he needs to fire his agent. Totally played this off-season totally wrong.

If David Lee took the unprecedented step of rejecting the QO and sitting out the season, GMs will question his character and stay far away from him. His agent is dumb but he can't be THAT dumb!

I would have to say with all David has given over his career to the Knicks--to not give him a 1 year 7-8mm $ deal and force him to take the QO would be a low class move--remember he was pick 30 his salary has been very low for his production--we OWE him the $$$$ In life you pay people what they are worth to you---hasnt David done more as a Knick for his career than 3mm $ of NBA checks?

Other than stats what has Lee provided that makes you think the Knicks owe him? He is a lunch pail player but I have never heard of him doing any more in the community than the average athlete. I like him but don't feel a connection to him like other guys the Knicks may "owe". He is not a marketing darling. He has yet to be a leader or even be part of a team that has won at least half it's games. And now his agent is turning this negotiation into a 3 ring circus directly through the media he says that is "misrepresenting" him. I don't think one man has ever in the history of the world been so misunderstood. Hahn must have misunderstood him in his interview. Or maybe Berman did again. I don't know but for all the fluff Berman writes he has really never backed a story like he is this one.

Posted by BRIGGS:

Posted by joec32033:

Other than stats what has Lee provided that makes you think the Knicks owe him? He is a lunch pail player but I have never heard of him doing any more in the community than the average athlete. I like him but don't feel a connection to him like other guys the Knicks may "owe". He is not a marketing darling. He has yet to be a leader or even be part of a team that has won at least half it's games. And now his agent is turning this negotiation into a 3 ring circus directly through the media he says that is "misrepresenting" him. I don't think one man has ever in the history of the world been so misunderstood. Hahn must have misunderstood him in his interview. Or maybe Berman did again. I don't know but for all the fluff Berman writes he has really never backed a story like he is this one.

If it was me I wouldnt sign and I wouldnt play for 2.5mm--no way. The injury risk is far too high.
The way I look at it--there will be 16-18 teams and not enough god players to go around and Lee will get a deal between 8-9mm over 5. Am I going to risk 45mm for 2.5 NFW. Who cares if he is restricted Knicks cant sign him anyway. If i was his agent--I would say 7.5mm and waive the trade veto or no play. If no play--no big deal. Hurts the Knicks much more--without Lee they will be horrible--give Utah a top 5 pick and send out a poor message to other players in the NBA. You put up 16-12--you dont play for 2mm

[Edited by - BRIGGS on 08-28-2009 4:35 PM]

not possible. If Lee doesn't play, then Knicks retain rights. All rookie contracts work this way.

Posted by newyorknewyork:

I don't see the problem with giving lee a one yr 7-8mil deal. I mean he will probably produce 15pts-11rebs. That is worth 7-8mil for one yr.

Is the fear about his potential increase for his 3rd contract.

No, the fear is giving away money when we already have him at the QO for $2.5 mil. If you make an offer of $200,000 on the house and the seller accepts, are you going to say, "Well how about if I give you $300,000"? I'm with Martin on waiving the no trade veto power though. He doesn't get the extra $4.5 mil for free. He's gotta give us something in return. Otherwise either take the QO or sit out the season and blow your future.

[Edited by - bonn1997 on 08-28-2009 5:30 PM]

Posted by King1:

If you have him for the QO then you lose him for nothing. Why would you lose your best player for nothing how can Walsh be applauded for that? I guess Walsh wants Lee to get them to the playoffs this year and then lose him for nothing. I am not saying the Knicks should sign him to a long term deal and you can say all you wont about his shortcomings he was the best player last year and other teams geared to stop the pick and roll and he still got 16 points a game.

I am getting tired of ppl saying that, its not for nothing, its for not having unreasonable contracts on the team, its for having flexibility in the future, its for having a chance to get back to championship levels. Thats not nothing imho

Posted by HungLo:

Lee's Agent Disputes NY Post's Holdout StoryAug 27, 2009 1:03 PM EST
David Lee's agent Mark Bartelstein said Marc Berman took his quote out of context and that his client does not intend to sit out training camp.
Alan Hahn described Bartelstein as "furious" with Berman's slant on the story.

"I honestly think this is why athletes and agents are at a point where you don't trust the media," Bartelstein said.
"Donnie [Walsh] and I have worked on this thing all summer," Bartelstein told Hahn. "I understand where they are [with the 2010 plan] and what they're trying to do. I'm not going to criticize Donnie and the Knicks for doing it."

Bartlestein said that he is "not opposed" to taking a one-year contract but that Lee "should be paid properly."

Via Newsday

New York Knicks

So what's the lates on the Berman - Bartelstein - Hanh love triangle? We have a real NY style soap opera on our hands guys!

Posted by loweyecue:

Posted by newyorknewyork:

I don't see the problem with giving lee a one yr 7-8mil deal. I mean he will probably produce 15pts-11rebs. That is worth 7-8mil for one yr.

Is the fear about his potential increase for his 3rd contract.

I do he is not worth that much. 6 max, thi IS a business if we get him for the QO why pay him more?

If you are good business owner you will NEVER hire anybody for less money that he/she worth.
All money you will pay will be a loss and you can get damages insted of production.
Talking about somebody who already works for you - you are sending clear message: "You are not wanted here, you done a bad job, go look around for better place for you".