The Los Angeles Lakers held the second pick in the NBA Draft and passed up on a center by taking point guard D’Angelo Russell. Before all that happened, there were talks with Sacramento to move big man, DeMarcus Cousins from the Kings to the Lakers.
-== 8 Moves That Paved Way for Warriors’ NBA Title ==-
While the Lakers struggle, the Warriors are breathing easy as they’ve resigned Draymond Green. The Lakers struck out with all their top free agent options and will continue to look for a solid Power Forward or Center. Luckily for them, serviceable big man, David Lee is still available. According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, the Lakers are more likely to make a trade for Lee than getting Cousins:
If Lakers miss on their top three FA targets, they’re more likely to pursue David Lee in a trade than revisit Boogie talks
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 2, 2015
As a player whose shown promise on offense and on the boards, Lee showed in the NBA Finals that he can still play. Obviously, his place and role on the Warriors is minimal and for that contract, he’s better off helping another team. The Knicks are another team that take David Lee. If you recall correctly, Lee came from the Knicks as a double-double machine in 2010. New York will get a familiar and reliable big and have cap space to absorb the contract. Howard Beck of BleacherReport believes Lee could a fan favorite once again:
David Lee remains very popular with Knicks fans. Many didn’t want to see him go back in 2010, when they signed Amare. Would be good PR, too. — Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) July 2, 2015
The same goes for the Dallas Mavericks. While they won’t be making a decision until the DeAndre Jordan chase is over, the Mavs are deficient in the front court. They lost Tyson Chandler to Phoenix and Amare Stoudemire may be on his way out. Beck goes on to point out the teams’ abilities to absorb the $15 million contract:
Fallback option for NY, LA and DAL, as FA bigs sign elsewhere: David Lee. All three could absorb his contract into cap room.
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) July 2, 2015
With the Warriors, Lee started most of the games in his first four seasons in Oakland. With the injury and emergence of Draymond Green, Lee took a backseat on the road to a championship. Currently, 32 years old, Lee still has some good years of basketball in him.
I hope the Lakers pick him up Salary was a very good player his first four years with us. Uh, I mean David Lee.
Somebody will pick him up.