The Golden State Warriors are shopping a David Lee trade this summer and teams like the NY Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers, Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics could be options for the Warriors after players like LaMarcus Aldridge and DeAndre Jordan have agreed to free agent deals.
The Warriors reportedly are "working" with Lee's camp to find a new team for the forward and it comes after he played in a reserve role last year. Marc Stein at ESPN first reported the news after the finals and it comes with Lee in the final year of his contract. The Warriors are bringing back Draymond Green and having Lee as a reserve at $15 million this season is not an option. Lee is on an expiring deal and that could make him attractive for teams around the league.
According to former NBA exec Bobby Marks, teams like the Denver Nuggets. Portland Trail Blazers, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns all can handle Lee's deal if they make some moves and those teams could be landing spots for the Warriors in a deal. Most of those teams can't take on the full contract without clearing some space, although the Blazers, Sixers and Magic can do it without any issues.
UPDATE: Lee is being traded to the Celtics. Marc Stein: "ESPN sources say that the Boston Celtics have agreed to trade for David Lee." More Stein: "the Celtics have agreed to send Gerald Wallace to the Warriors for David Lee."
SB Nation reports that the Blazers could be interested in a deal after losing Aldridge, as they brought in Ed Dixon and Al-Farouq Aminu on contracts and may want more depth. The Celtics have been exploring trades all offseason and with Brandon Bass heading to Los Angeles, the team could look at bringing in Lee. Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports that Lee is an option and the team has a need at power forward and also could use a veteran presence on the roster.
The Magic have brought back Tobias Harris on a deal and the team could look at Lee as an upgrade over Channing Frye. The Pacers are reportedly working on a trade with Roy Hibbert to the LA Lakers and that could open things up for a Lee deal. Lee's salary is expiring and that could be a strong move for the Pacers after losing David West. The team signed Monta Ellis as well and could look at adding Lee if they finish off the trade for Hibbert. According to ESPN.com, the Lakers and Knicks were interested in Lee at the start of free agency, but that has likely changed. The Lakers are working on the Hibbert deal, while the Knicks have brought in Robin Lopez on a free agent deal.
Lee played well in limited time in the playoffs and Tim Kawakami reported in the Mercury News that Golden State owner Joe Lacob is being patient with Lee. The team wants "a good basketball trade" if they move Lee and that could make things take a bit longer to get done. The Celtics could try moving Gerald Wallace to get a deal done for Lee, according to Celtics Blog on Twitter. Lee averaged eight points and five rebounds per game in a limited role last season with the Warriors.