The Golden state Warriors were one of the most exciting teams in the NBA last season and after pulling off a huge upset in the playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, the team appeared to have the number of the Spurs before losing and now it appears they are ready to deal, as David Lee is on the trading block.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, the team has put Lee out there as a trading chip, despite the fact that he put it all on the line in the playoffs to lay injured. He suffered a season ending injury that should have kept him out, but he returned for the team when they needed it and helped Stephen Curry push things in the postseason. Lee has three years, $44 million on his contract and now the team wants to move him as he is 30-years-old and they try to clear some space.
Lee has always been a hard worker and solid player, but for what Mark Jackson and the Warriors want to run on offense, it might be best for him to move on again. The Warriors want to create salary cap space and also want to run at Dwight Howard, making a move for Lee and interesting one. Lee had one of the best seasons in his career while averaging 18.5 points and 11.2 rebounds and he was an All-Star this year as well.
The injury he suffered was a torn hip flexor in April and he returned afterwards and later got surgery in May. The Warriors tried to get LaMarcus Aldridge from the Blazers, but the deal did not go through and while the Raptors also looked like a possibility for Andrea Bargnani, sources say that the Knicks are close to acquiring him. Bargnani has two years, $22.5 million on his contract and would set up the Knicks to get it off as other contracts to, and now the Warriors must look elsewhere.
Lee is a solid player and should have some suitors and although the Warriors are likely better with him than without him, they feel the salary cap relief is necessary.
