David Lee on the block?

[Fear the Putin]

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/52582/20080518/dantoni_big_on_crawford_robinson_less_on_lee/

D'Antoni Big On Crawford, Robinson, Less On Lee
May 18, 2008 - 12:53 pm

New York Daily News -
Mike D'Antoni likes players who can score, which could mean David Lee and Renaldo Balkman will be less effective this coming season.

"Mike doesn't like guys like Lee who can't shoot," a D'Antoni confidant said. "He saw him as a non-scoring power forward when he came out of Florida. But that's why a guy like Jamal Crawford is going to be around. He will thrive in Mike's system. And he likes Nate a lot, too. Mike likes guys who can make plays from anywhere on the court."

How about we give D'Antoni a defender he will actually be productive with in Artest.
Kings send:
Ron Artest, Kenny Thomas, Shareef

Knicks send:
Marbury, Lee

Marbury expires in at the end of the 08-09 season, while Kenny's and SAR's contracts run through 2010.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

isiah isn't gm anymore. they wouldn't look at this.. they have a huge expiring that they could get something for.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

isiah isn't gm anymore. they wouldn't look at this.. they have a huge expiring that they could get something for.

In this case, that something is Ron Artest. Artest could actually be a very valuable piece for the Knicks - a hometown guy who would probably be happy in New York, and a very talented player whose past issues mean he can probably be signed long-term at 65 cents on the dollar. In exchange they get rid of malcontent Marbury and only have to stomach Kenny and Shareef for one extra year.

If D'Antoni really isn't high on Lee and the front office knows it, a trade like that could work out for them. I'm not sure what the Knicks can hope to get for Marbury that's better than Artest. The Grizzlies don't have Pau Gasol anymore.

 

[Vlade4GM]

In this case, that something is Ron Artest. Artest could actually be a very valuable piece for the Knicks - a hometown guy who would probably be happy in New York, and a very talented player whose past issues mean he can probably be signed long-term at 65 cents on the dollar. In exchange they get rid of malcontent Marbury and only have to stomach Kenny and Shareef for one extra year.

If D'Antoni really isn't high on Lee and the front office knows it, a trade like that could work out for them. I'm not sure what the Knicks can hope to get for Marbury that's better than Artest. The Grizzlies don't have Pau Gasol anymore.

You think Walsh is going to be down for dealing with Artest again? No way, times are a changin for the knicks; they're not going to take on any more bad contracts and they're not going to take on anymore potential crazies and offensive black holes. It's not going to happen. Worst comes to worst with Marbury they'll just buy him out.

 

[LPKingsFan]

You think Walsh is going to be down for dealing with Artest again? No way, times are a changin for the knicks; they're not going to take on any more bad contracts and they're not going to take on anymore potential crazies and offensive black holes. It's not going to happen. Worst comes to worst with Marbury they'll just buy him out.

Yeah, Walsh to NY pretty much ended chances of dealing Ron there, I'd imagine.

Not sure if they'd be interested in anyone else. If Suns were interested in Salmons a couple years back, maybe D'Antoni still is, but I doubt John is enough to land Lee.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

You think Walsh is going to be down for dealing with Artest again? No way, times are a changin for the knicks; they're not going to take on any more bad contracts and they're not going to take on anymore potential crazies and offensive black holes. It's not going to happen. Worst comes to worst with Marbury they'll just buy him out.

Yeah, I forgot Walsh was at the helm in New York now, so Artest may not exactly be at the top of their list anymore.

Still, if they want to deal Marbury for value, they'll probably have to get some sort of bad contract in return - a $20M ender isn't the easiest thing to get rid of. And it's not like Walsh was 100% averse to bad contracts in Indiana - Dunleavy and Murphy come to mind. Not as bad as contracts get, but $90M for 8 total years of those guys? (Not counting what he had to pay for the second half of '07) It's not impossible to imagine he'd eat a contract like KTs, especially with NY's cash flow, if he liked the other pieces.

 

[Vlade4GM]

Yeah, I forgot Walsh was at the helm in New York now, so Artest may not exactly be at the top of their list anymore.

Still, if they want to deal Marbury for value, they'll probably have to get some sort of bad contract in return - a $20M ender isn't the easiest thing to get rid of. And it's not like Walsh was 100% averse to bad contracts in Indiana - Dunleavy and Murphy come to mind. Not as bad as contracts get, but $90M for 8 total years of those guys? (Not counting what he had to pay for the second half of '07) It's not impossible to imagine he'd eat a contract like KTs, especially with NY's cash flow, if he liked the other pieces.

But he's coming in with a different mindset with NY and that's righting the ship and being the anti-isiah, which means no more wasting enders on offensive black holes and big contracts.

 

[Entity]

when is the first date trades can be made? Is it draft night or before?

 

[CruzDude]

Players can be talked to July 1 and contracts can be signed and trades made beginning July 15.

BTW I don't think RonRon is going anywhere and he can become an All-star here but never in NY. Plus Marbury is a cancer.

 

[Kingzrool]

Petrie doesn't like non-shooters either. Although, I think he would help, I do not see GP going for it. He was desperate when it was on the table and I think that he is not now. And Ron is waaaaaaaay better.

 

[Entity]

Players can be talked to July 1 and contracts can be signed and trades made beginning July 15.

BTW I don't think RonRon is going anywhere and he can become an All-star here but never in NY. Plus Marbury is a cancer.

That can't be right. How are trades made draft night?

 

[CruzDude]

That can't be right. How are trades made draft night?

Trading draft positions and players already under contract for a draft position is different than trading a player under contract for another player not under contract. A team cannot sign new players until July 15. Players can reach agreements on 1 July but can't sign a contract until 15 July.

 

[Vlade4GM]

I'm pretty sure teams can make trades right now if they're not in the playoffs.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

Yeah, Walsh to NY pretty much ended chances of dealing Ron there, I'd imagine.

Not sure if they'd be interested in anyone else. If Suns were interested in Salmons a couple years back, maybe D'Antoni still is, but I doubt John is enough to land Lee.

i was thinking salmons might be a good fit for their run n gun style too.

 

[Löwenherz]

a hometown guy who would probably be happy in New York, and a very talented player whose past issues mean he can probably be signed long-term at 65 cents on the dollar.

Interestingly, this was the same logic Isiah used in trading for Marbury.

Knicks might not be interested in Artest anymore, but do you think they'd bite on Miller?

 

[LPKingsFan]

i was thinking salmons might be a good fit for their run n gun style too.

Yeah, although thinking more about it, they'll likely want to hold on to Crawford and Q-Rich, both of whom would seem to do well with D'Antoni's system (Q-Rich already has). Salmons could be a good 6th man for them, but do you think they'd be willing to give up Lee, one of their prized trade pieces if the report is true, for a 6th man?

Knicks might not be interested in Artest anymore, but do you think they'd bite on Miller?

Perhaps, although I'd asume they'd want to deal Z-Bo or Curry in the deal, and neither, I must say, does much for me.

 

[One and Done]

I like Lee's game, but he'd be a roleplayer here, very similar to Mikki, and wouldn't really make an outstanding impact. He'd benefit the team, but not by much...maybe 2 or 3 more wins at best.

If we were a better team, he'd still be coming off of the bench.

I'd rather the team focus on trying to get a franchise PF instead of a hodgepodge of talented but roleplaying bigmen.

 

[CruzDude]

I like Lee's game, but he'd be a roleplayer here, very similar to Mikki, and wouldn't really make an outstanding impact. He'd benefit the team, but not by much...maybe 2 or 3 more wins at best.

If we were a better team, he'd still be coming off of the bench.

I'd rather the team focus on trying to get a franchise PF instead of a hodgepodge of talented but roleplaying bigmen.

Excellent view!! Just wish a "franchise" type PF would be down at #12 in coming draft or we get really lucky and get one of first three picks and get Beasley or trade first rounder for such a beast.

Updated my 14 mock drafts and DeAndre Jordan, the 7-0 C from Texas showed up at #12 4 times followed by Westbrook, the #2 PG from UCLA.

Draft express was pretty blunt about him being a project which says min 2-3 years from contributing, kinda like Andrew Bynum:

Strengths:
• Incredible physical specimen
• Great size
• Long arms
• Freakish athlete
• Great hands
• Quickness in post
• Ability to draw fouls
• Ability to finish around basket
• Defensive potential
• Ability to hedge screens
• Rebounding ability
• Incredible upside

Weaknesses:
• Not productive
• Poor fundamentals
• Extremely limited w/back to the basket
• Lacks strength to hold spot on block
• Mediocre footwork
• Struggles finishing through contact
• Poor passer/Black hole? (0.4 ast/gm in 20 min/gm)
• Atrocious free throw shooter (43%!!!)
• Not incredibly active
• Defensive awareness
• Pushed around in post
• Not a shot-blocker
• Mental/Physical toughness?
• Maturity/Intangibles
• Long ways away from contributing
• High bust potential

 

[CruzDude]

David Lee, while a rebounder, that's about it for him. RonRon is a 15-20 pt/gm scorer plus getting 5-8 reg/gam and shutting down his man. Lee is not that great defensively.

Draft wise, Darrell Arthur from Kansas is rated #4 in top PF and #7 overall in Sophmores coming out, he is 70% FT and gets twice as many asts as Jordan but is apparently more inconsistent. Draft express speaks mucho better about Arthur than Jordan:

Strengths:
• Athleticism
• Scoring mentality
• Hands
• Ability to score in the paint
• Transition play/Running the floor
• Turnaround jumper
• Budding skills facing the basket
• Excellent lateral quickness
• Solid all-around defender
• Upside

Weaknesses:
• Toughness/Intensity
• Basketball IQ/Experience
• Consistent focus
• Passing ability
• Ability to finish with left hand
• Shot-selection
• Ball-handling/Perimeter shooting polish
• Finishing strong/Not fading away
• Strength
• Consistency

 

[Packt]

Looking at the state of the Pacers, I don't know why Walsh doesn't get more criticism. The running joke is "Isiah isn't GM anymore", but Lee and Balkman are Isiah products, and Walsh is the one who hired the guy who supposedly doesn't like said players.
Isiah has been removed from the Pacers for years and they're still a mess. How is a guy that couldn't clean up the Pacers after Isiah going to clean up the mess in NY.

Isiah having worked with Ron on a daily basis in the past, passed on a reunion, only Petrie knows how many times. With Isiah's dismissal and Walsh's hiring, the sentimental factor is now removed. Players are just commodities. Now may be the time to get it done.

Play Lee alot of minutes and he'll grab alot rebounds. In a team first situation he'll look like young Kenny Thomas. We know where that story goes.

 

[BMiller52]

Looking at the state of the Pacers, I don't know why Walsh doesn't get more criticism. The running joke is "Isiah isn't GM anymore", but Lee and Balkman are Isiah products, and Walsh is the one who hired the guy who supposedly doesn't like said players.
Isiah has been removed from the Pacers for years and they're still a mess. How is a guy that couldn't clean up the Pacers after Isiah going to clean up the mess in NY.

Isiah having worked with Ron on a daily basis in the past, passed on a reunion, only Petrie knows how many times. With Isiah's dismissal and Walsh's hiring, the sentimental factor is now removed. Players are just commodities. Now may be the time to get it done.

Play Lee alot of minutes and he'll grab alot rebounds. In a team first situation he'll look like young Kenny Thomas. We know where that story goes.

Isiah never got Ron because he wouldn't give up Lee but he was the one always trying to trade for Ron. I doubt Donny deals for Ron though man, DOnny was pissed when Ron messed up the Pacers IIRC.

 

[Section 101]

Isiah never got Ron because he wouldn't give up Lee but he was the one always trying to trade for Ron. I doubt Donny deals for Ron though man, DOnny was pissed when Ron messed up the Pacers IIRC.

But the Suns did try to get Salmons as a FA for D'Antoni's system. They may take him for Lee.

 

[kennadog]

I'm pretty sure teams can make trades right now if they're not in the playoffs.

Yes, they can.

Not likely to be able to trade a player who will be a free agent or can opt out by June 30th like Ron, though.