Knicks' Lee doesnA't pick up an offer sheet

The Raptors are trying to keep a potential free agent in 2010, so they're on a spending spree this summer to convince Chris Bosh to stay in Toronto.

[tjrover]

Lee is a nice role player but looked like he quit at times down the stretch or didn't care enough, on top of a lot of bonehead plays. He's worth about half of what his agent is seeking. If there's a good sign and trade then do it!

[tktkt]

knicks will mess this up too.

[Kyle]

I don't know how this guy warrants 12M a season. If someone else wants to burn their cap on him than be my guest.

[LIER]

For 12 million a year I would let him walk. He is not worth that much. Say goodbye to David Lee.

[dave]

no one's willing to spend even $7 million a year on Mr. Soft-ee. For make that kinda dough in these frugal times, a player had better stand his ground when setting picks instead of safely stepping away from the hit with Matador-D. And God forbid Lee should even deign to stick a hand in the face of a driving opponent that had gotten past one of Lee's mates. Maybe Lee hasn't done these "winner" things because no one else on the Knicks does them either. Well, how about setting an example if you wanna be paid like a team leader?

[Jaw1282]

Call my crazy, but I think Lee's agent is intentionally pricing himself out of the market this year so that his client has to get the qualifying offer this year and can sign a longer-term and more lucrative extension with the Knicks next year as a "Bird" player. If Lee signs an offer-sheet this summer, the Knicks can match it or not, but there is no qualifying offer to be had, which means no mega-deal next year.

[Ben]

About LOYALTY:

Who cares about the 2009 cap? So why don't the Knicks just say "Listen David, you have received no offer sheets and you are essentially forced to take the qualifying offer. Instead of that, we would like to offer you a 1-year,$12 million contract." Then Lee would come off the cap in 2010 and be "LOYAL" to the Knicks. Who cares about spending the extra $10 million this year. The Knicks have the money, it is just about 2010. Lee will understand and appreciate the gesture. It's an investment in getting Lee to play alongside a stud in 2010.

Thoughts? Can it work like this?

[NYStateOfMind]

$12 million???...

I can see a team like Portland signing Lee for maybe $35/$40 million for 5 years...

[LIGuy]

"About LOYALTY:

Who cares about the 2009 cap? So why don't the Knicks just say "Listen David, you have received no offer sheets and you are essentially forced to take the qualifying offer. Instead of that, we would like to offer you a 1-year,$12 million contract." Then Lee would come off the cap in 2010 and be "LOYAL" to the Knicks. "

C'mon... no one cares about "loyalty" on either side of any deal, ever, in any sport. The side paying the salary cares about paying as little as possible and the side being paid cares about being paid as much as possible. Every time. End of story.

[Jim]

"C'mon... no one cares about "loyalty" on either side of any deal, ever, in any sport. The side paying the salary cares about paying as little as possible and the side being paid cares about being paid as much as possible. Every time. End of story.""

I think that is exactly what Ben was saying. You give him a lot of money when we don't care about our 2009 cap and then he won't be jumping to spurn the Knicks in 2010. Also, if anything, Lee should be more loyal to the Knicks than the 29 teams who passed on him both THIS off-season and in the draft 4 years ago.

[Ombudsman]

Sign Clyde and Willis and Bradley. They are (not were...are) far better than any three the Knicks currently have.

[OakAndStarks]

Stat-wise, Lee and Charles Oakley is about same. Both double-double machine, not shot blocker nor a reliable shooter. But Oakley was one of those players who could turn the games around and win them on his hustle and toughness. in the 90's it was Oakley, not Ewing, who was the heart and soul of the Knicks.
If Lee was like Oakley, sure give him the max contract, but I am still not convinced that he is just a stat-stuffer from a bad team.

[Knicked]

Lee always had a turnover at the very end of games, and that's why we lost some close ones. I say dump him and go after Rubio.

[Rick from Brooklyn]

I guess all the selling HAHN was doing for Lee amounted to nothing. Knickfan hello, Lee is at best, at best a 7th player coming off the bench, he cant shoot, cant defend, and a very poor finisher under the iron. that is why he is not getting any large dead presidents

[I LEVEL]

Lee is not worth $12 million a year, if another team wants to give it to him; so be it.
I think his agent is blowing smoke up the Knicks behind, if there was an offer that high, he would have already signed an offer sheet.
Lee's agent is using the guise of "well other teams are offering this" to get the best possible deal from the Knicks for his client.
Until he signs anything, all is speculation.

[Fordy]

Im glad Lee will be back at a decent price.

[ejapinoy]

It is this "greedy" agents like (Mark Bartelstein) David Lee's agent that destroys the salary cap for teams. David Lee would be a nice piece added for the NY Knicks future but a ''part/piece" should not perish the Knicks who are trying to build a team. Give David Lee 6-6.5 million a year for five years and pls. David if you really want to be a Knick like you said talk to your agent and be reasonable on your price.
Give David Lee 6 - 6.5 a year for five years for all his hard work and start building from there. thx.