NBA PM: Lee's Market Could Clear
By: Jason Fleming Last Updated: 5/13/10 9:42 AM ET | 4500 times read
Adjust font size:In this edition of the NBA PM: David Lee could be the beneficiary of stars staying off the open market…It's not all on LeBron James…The other type of restricted free agents…HOOPSWORLD Chats.
Market Clearing For Lee? There has been a lot of buzz this past week about some of the bigger names in the 2010 free agent market, mainly the power forwards. The Houston Rockets are on record as planning a push for Toronto Raptors All-Star Chris Bosh if he opts for free agency. The Phoenix Suns have a max extension on the table to All-Star Amar'e Stoudemire, who may sign if they can sell him on the franchise's future after Steve Nash inevitably retires. In Utah Carlos Boozer apparently is going to give the Jazz first shot at re-signing him, and then give them the option to match if he gets a better offer somewhere else.
It's very plausible all of these things could occur, and the result could make unrestricted free agent David Lee a very rich man. Okay, he's going to get paid well anyway, but if all three of these are off the market Lee will become the top power forward available, with teams like the New York Knicks, Miami HEAT, Oklahoma City Thunder, New Jersey Nets, and a couple others all in the market for a four who can score and rebound.
If Lee is the last man standing at the four, he could be the beneficiary of a bidding war. If it really comes down to that the Knicks may have the edge because he loves the city and they can offer him another year on his contract (six years as opposed to the five everyone else can offer because they hold his Bird Rights).
In a way this could be the best possible outcome for Lee. There is belief by some he's numbers are a product of Coach Mike D'Antoni's system (there may be some truth to that, but he is a very talented four) and wouldn't produce as much playing for another team. Perhaps, perhaps not. What we do know is Lee will likely continue to be a 20-10 player for the Knicks, so staying in New York would be ideal.
The Nets should be considered a dark horse here. With good players at the most difficult positions in the NBA to fill – Brook Lopez at center and Devin Harris at point guard – plus the most chances to land the top pick (and take Kentucky guard John Wall) in the May 18th NBA Draft Lottery, they also have about $30 million (they have only seven players under contract) they can spend in free agency looking for a power forward and a wing scorer. Since the Nets will be moving to Brooklyn in a couple years, Lee would still be able to be in New York.
Just for the heck of it, think about a starting lineup of Lopez, Lee, Terrence Williams, Harris, and Joe Johnson (another unrestricted free agent), plus the possible addition of John Wall.
Now, if Stoudemire, Bosh, and Boozer all change teams in free agency and soak up the available free agent dollars for power forwards, instead of going to or staying with teams who don't have free agent dollars, Lee may find himself in a bit of a bind when it comes to offers, forcing him to take whatever is out there.
Even then, the Nets could still be a prime target.
Read more NBA news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=16206#ixzz0nlUqzNr3
5/13/2010 5:44 PM
