New York Knick Options for Trading David Lee
Lee is a power forward who has a penchant for rebounding, and he's one of the leagues best, averaging 11.7 a game to finish 3rd in the NBA. This standout performance could earn him a salary anywhere from 8-12 million dollars a year, but the Knicks would rather have the cap space to offer the star studded free agent class of 2010. Lee also contributed 16 points a game to the Knick cause, but many fans are dismayed at his ability to play defense. The Knicks had a bang out year on offense, but defensively there was no one capable or willing to stop the constant lay-ups and dunks that made die hard Knick fans shudder at the freebies they were offering their opponents.
Donnie Walsh has made many comments that he would like to keep David Lee, but as the draft and free agency approaches, rumors are flying and many trade suggestions are being made. If I were the "King of the Knicks", I would sign David Lee or match any offer 12 million or less. You do not let quality players leave your organization because of money, especially when it grows on trees in the Dolan household. Lee is also the most popular Knick, and plays his heart out every night. As far as his defensive deficiencies, most players improve their defense each year they are in the league, but I must admit, this is not the strongest part of David Lee's game.
If the Knicks decide to move David Lee, let's take a look at potential deals that could help improve the franchise:
Scenario One:Trade with the Washington Wizards
This was suggested on the New York Knicks ESPN message board by a Knick fan that goes by the name of Sky. He suggested that the Knicks offer the Wizards a signed David Lee and point guard Chris Duhon for Etan Thomas, Mike James and the 5th pick overall in the upcoming draft. Hs thought was the Wiz need to win now and would probably prefer a veteran to a young baller that is 2-3 years away.
Chris Duhon could back-up oft injured superstar Gilbert Arenas, while Lee's rebounding and tenacity could help inspire their other young bigs, Andray Blatche and Javale McGee. In addition, Brendan Haywood returns from a season ending injury to round out a solid front-court. With Arenas, Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler and the emerging Nick Young on the perimeter, they would have a pretty solid rotation to get into the play-offs. Keep in mind that due to the fact that Lee is a restricted free agent, he would have to want to go there and would need to sign a contract so the Knicks could do the ole sign and trade, and the Wiz would have to draft for the Knicks and then consummate the deal in early July.
Scenario Two: trade with the Portland Trailblazers
The Portland Trailblazers have one the best cores of young players in the league. Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden provide a triumvirate of young talent few teams can match. In addition to the big three, they have a plethora of young players and draft picks that could easily entice the Knicks to move David Lee.
In a sign and trade the Knicks move David Lee and Nate Robinson to the Blazers for Rudy Fernandez, Steve Blake, Travis Outlaw, trade exception Ike Diogu and draft picks. The picks would be this years number one 24th overall, the 32nd pick and a 2011 lottery protected number one. The deal would be contingent on Lee accepting a contract in the 8 million range and Robinson around 4.5 million.
The only player Portland would not want to give up would be Fernandez. Rudy is emerging as a solid guard, and could play the one or the two in the Knicks offense. The picks are inconsequential, because how much talent can you stockpile? The Knicks are giving up two very good players, but acquire the cap space they desire. The only contract that extends into the summer of 2010 would be Outlaw, and it's only 4 million a year. Blake would also fit in well as a heady shooter/distributor for the Knicks.
Many fans will be unhappy giving Portland two solid contributors for late picks and Fernandez, but I think Rudy Fernandez would be a stud in New York. New York is also strong at the small forward position, so Outlaw is somewhat redundant, but they need his salary to make the deal work. The real caveat for the Knicks would be shedding salary, acquiring picks, and the aforementioned Fernandez.
Another key to the trade would be the reluctance of Portland to go with Jerryd Bayless and Nate Robinson as their point guard rotation, barring other moves of course. Neither is a pass first point guard, but teaming up with Brandon Roy and his 5.1 assists a game could make this plausible. Another idea would be for Portland to make this trade, and make a strong push for unrestricted free agent Jason Kidd. Kidd has made over 150 million dollars in his NBA career, and just might take a pay cut for a chance at a ring.
Trade with the New Jersey Nets
It's doubtful the Knicks would want to send Lee to the Nets for obvious reasons. They play in the same division and would have to face him multiple times a year, but putting that on the side. Here's another option to look at. Knicks send a resigned David Lee and trade exceptions, Mardy Collins and Renaldo Balkman to the Nets in exchange for Bobby Simmons, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Sean Williams and their 2009 first round pick (15th overall).
The Nets inquire about Lee every year, so we know they are interested. They also get to dump Bobby Simmons, who hasn't worked out. Chris Douglas-Roberts and Sean Williams are players with potential that might flourish elsewhere, so the biggest obstacle would be giving up their number one pick.
The key for the Knicks is Simmons is in the last year of his deal, so that money is available the summer of 2010, and Sean Williams is a natural shot blocker who could potentially play a key role in the Knicks defense, and Chris Douglas-Roberts is someone I feel will be a very good player in this league if he ever gets the opportunity. The pick at 15 allows the Knicks to grab another young player as they continue to rebuild.
Many of the above deals will not make either team happy; such is the nature of any trade. Considering another option is to let Lee walk for nothing, makes them shine a little brighter. Also, all of these deals are extremely complicated as Lee being a restricted free agent, has to want to go to these teams and agree to the salary offered. He is in ultimate control of where he goes, and could veto any opportunity presented. Also, the team trading for Lee would have to draft for the Knicks and take the player the Knicks want. There is a lot of behind the scenes negotiating that would need to take place to make any of these deals a reality.
Due to the nature of NBA agents and the fact that Lee will probably get a contract around 50 million makes this extremely feasible. Agents make around 3% of these contracts, so Lee's agent is looking at a 1.5 million dollar payday. Not an agent on the planet that wouldn't run some interference for that kind of coin.
Published by Ed Ziti
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15 Comments
Post a CommentNo hard feelings, and have a great weekend. Hopefully our paths will cross again.
Whoa, I didn't say that your whole article was poorly written, just that one sentence. I think we can both agree that all writers throw together a poor sentence every now and again. But, all I can say is that at least one other person besides me misinterpreted what you wrote, and I doubt it is just because of our ignorance of the collective bargaining agreement, as you are saying.
sportspolymath(dot)com. I'm sure you will enjoy the work
Here's what I wrote "Here's another option to look at. Knicks send a resigned David Lee and trade exceptions, Mardy Collins and Renaldo Balkman to the Nets in exchange for Bobby Simmons, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Sean Williams and their 2009 first round pick (15th overall)."
I prefaced it with "trade exceptions" and then the players names. I could explain every every nuiance, but most of my readers have an understanding of what a trade exception is. If you want to insult and be critical, that's fine, but the bigger problem is you're reading articles from someone who writes for a very knowledgable audience. I would have preferred a question, rather than negative commentary. I offered you my email and offered to even explain it to you over the phone. The sentence is written correctly if you know what a trade exception is. I shouldn't have to list a copy of the collective bargaining agreement in my article for people to understand, as it's extremely complex. Check out my website at
Ed--I think you just didn't write the sentence very well. The way you wrote it, it sounds as if you are saying the Knicks can trade players Collins and Balkman, but I think what you meant is that they can use the trade exceptions created when they traded Collins and Balkman, in order to make the trade of Lee to the Nets work in terms of salary numbers. Is that correct? If so, then this is just a matter of a poorly worded sentence
Is that enough proof?
Article from Seattle talking about the trade exception:
Sign-and-trade deal for Lewis brings Sonics hefty trade exception
By GARY WASHBURN
P-I REPORTER
LAS VEGAS -- The consensus at the Las Vegas Summer League was that Sonics general manager Sam Presti pulled off another coup Wednesday when he coerced a $9.25 million trade exception from the Orlando Magic for free agent Rashard Lewis.
The Sonics were content to receive no compensation for Lewis and allow the nine-year swingman to sign a five-year deal with the Magic for about $96 million. The Magic, however, apparently threatened by the possibility of other teams intercepting Lewis and executing a sign-and-trade deal with the Sonics that would have ensured a six-year contract, sent Seattle a second-round pick and the trade exception.
Trade exceptions are rare in the NBA, especially one as large as the one the Sonics received. The Golden State Warriors received an exception for more than $10 million when they acquired No.
Here is a link to ESPN trade Machine which lists the Knicks trade exceptions on the bottom. If you donlt believe me, maybe you will belive ESPN. http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine
They cut my post in half. Trade exceptions do exist, and are included in the NBA's collective bargaining agreement. Many people don't understand it, not my fault. the answer is too long to post. Send me an email at sportspolymath@hotmail.com and I will send you my phone number and explain it to you.
The real question is, do you understand what a trade exception is? The salary cap is a complex issue, and many NBA executives don;t understand it either. Hopefully this will help.
68. What is the Traded Player exception?
As described in question number 67, exceptions are the mechanisms that allow teams to function above the salary cap. Any trade which results in the team ending up over the salary cap requires an exception. This is true even if the team is moving downward in salary. For example, if the salary cap is $50 million, a team has a team salary of $55 million, and they want to trade a $5 million player for a $4 million player, they still have to use an exception. Even though their team salary would be decreasing by $1 million, the fact that they would still be over the salary cap ($54 million) means that an exception is required.
The Traded Player exception is the primary means used by teams over the cap for completing trades. It allows teams to make trades that leave