Lee spoke yesterday while apartment hunting in Manhattan, a day after D'Antoni was introduced as the third Knicks coach Lee will play for in four years. The turnover has been unsettling, but the timing of the latest change couldn't be better for his game if perhaps not for his wallet.

Lee is heading into the final year of his rookie contract and could become a restricted free agent next summer. This is usually the time teams try to lock up their young players so as to avoid having to contend with offer sheets from other teams. Nate Robinson is also heading into his final year before restricted free agency.

While Robinson will make $2,020,179 next season, Lee will make $1,788,003, which is the fourth-lowest on the current payroll. By rule the Knicks only need to make one-year commitments to both restricted free agents to keep them, but that only works if no other NBA team attempts to sign the player to an offer sheet.

That's up to them," he said. "I can't control that. If that's something they want to do then that's a decision they have to make."

It might also create one for Lee, who has repeatedly said he wants to be a Knick for the rest of his career. In fact, Isiah Thomas once said that Lee could be one of those rare NBA players that spends his entire career with the team that drafted him. The arrival of the D'Antoni style - in which he fits well - is a bonus.
There is little doubt that Walsh will try to move Randolph, who has a hefty contract that maxes out at $17.1 million in 2010-11. That could create room for Lee or it could result in Lee being part of the package to sweeten the deal.

Lee couldn't deny that anything is possible right now with the Knicks.

Do you think it is a great idea to trade the only one player on the team who showed loyalty to NY fans, club, and the bbal game in general?
It will be very easy to build the team in pro sports if talent and stats will be the only qualities you need from players. But this is not even a half of the package required for success.

lee couldn't shoot free throws his first year. Now he shoots them at 80%+.

He started to show a mid range jumper at the end of the season.

D'Antoni also likes his players to make quick decisions. Lee has demonstrated that ability throughout his stay here. Zach is a better shooter, but he must use stick'em before games!

The Phoenix coach loves Lee and there were 29 teams that passed on Lee on draft night. Lee will either be a part of this team or a good trading chip for the knicks.

Posted by mikesknicks:

I thought the rumor was they were going to talk Balkman and thats why Isiah drafted him when he did.

Balky shot is worse than DLee even as rooks.

DLee's shot is not bad, he just never gets any plays called for him.

If MikeD is not a fan, then so be it. But I can't see it.

What game are you people watching??? David Lee is a very hard worker but he can't shoot a lick, most teams play five on four when he or balkman is in the game. DLee trys to drive when he is wide open that says it all.
I like Dlee to but let's be real here people, without a jump-shot he will never be more then a very good role player not the Super Star most of you guys think he is.

i didn't watch too many games after midseason but Lee is developing a jumpshot

Posted by martin:

Posted by mikesknicks:

I thought the rumor was they were going to talk Balkman and thats why Isiah drafted him when he did.

Balky shot is worse than DLee even as rooks.

DLee's shot is not bad, he just never gets any plays called for him.

If MikeD is not a fan, then so be it. But I can't see it.

What game are you people watching??? David Lee is a very hard worker but he can't shoot a lick, most teams play five on four when he or balkman is in the game. DLee trys to drive when he is wide open that says it all.
I like Dlee to but let's be real here people, without a jump-shot he will never be more then a very good role player not the Super Star most of you guys think he is.

i didn't watch too many games after midseason but Lee is developing a jumpshot

Lee actually improved on his low post skills towards the latter end of last year... the year before he improved his foulshooting... this year he's working out w/Nash to get a jump on learning the run & gun system the new coach likes to use... u can question D Lee's upside but u can't question the guy's determination to be the best player he can possibly be.

Posted by King1:

The Phoenix coach loves Lee and there were 29 teams that passed on Lee on draft night. Lee will either be a part of this team or a good trading chip for the knicks.

My thoughts entirely. Also, this thread is a bit overdramatic. It is a logically incorrect to state that "D'antoni did not want to draft David Lee in 2005 for Phoenix with the 21st Pick Overall" means the same thing as "D'antoni does not like David Lee". Regardless, I would like to believe that any coach would admire his work ethic and athleticism.

^ you spend hours and hours just looking for the right Roth pic didnt you?

and enjoyed every minute of it