Knicks Will Rent David Lee for 1 Year

[Shapecity]

The New York Knicks expect to sign restricted free agent David Lee to a one-year contract at some point after Labor Day, officials familiar with the talks said Friday.

Knicks president Donnie Walsh said he doesn't think a Lee sign-and-trade is possible. Even though the Knicks like Lee, Walsh said he is not interested in signing the forward to a long-term contract at this point; he wants to maintain as much payroll flexibility as possible for next summer, when LeBron James, Chris Bosh and other prominent players will be free agents.

"We can't get a deal" for Lee, Walsh said.

Contract discussions are expected to heat up next week. Many league officials think the deal will fall in the $6 million-to-$8 million range, but the two sides will exchange more concrete numbers soon. Lee could be rewarded more generously since it will be just a one-year contract.

The only way the deal with Lee wouldn't get done is if another team offers the Knicks a sign-and-trade scenario for a player the Knicks like at least as much as Lee and who still allows for future financial flexibility.

No sign-and-trades have materialized at this point, and Walsh doesn't expect any. There is also a good chance that guard Nate Robinson will return to the Knicks on a one-year deal as well, Walsh said.

Source: ESPN

The Knicks are making a lot of sacrifices to make a big splash in 2010 free agency. Donnie Walsh better come through.

 

[oldmangrouch]

I feel sorry for Knicks fans. What happens when next summer rolls around, and they find out Lebron/Wade/Bosh aren't interested?

 

[Mr. J]

I don't see any sacrifice. It's not about just signing LeBron, Wade or Bosh. It's about getting something that we haven't had in almost a decade: cap space. That's a real asset which can really turn this team around.

If we don't sign a big name this year, there's always next summer when Jeffries and Curry will be off the books. We can become an even bigger player in 2011 with their combined $18M off the books. Honestly, what are we giving up? Lee is expendable especially considering we drafted Jordan Hill who has a higher ceiling than him.

I think Lee got a dose of his real market value and that teams aren't willing to overpay for his services. If lose Lee via free agency it won't be a sacrifice at all.