David Lee’s had a crazy year.
This time last season, he was the highest-paid member of a Golden State Warriors’ squad that was quickly finding out how good they had it with Steph Curry and Draymond Green. They were on their way to an almost-certain NBA championship, Lee’s first. The only problem was, Lee wasn’t being as big a part of the team as he, or the Warriors, would have liked.
After their championship, the Warriors shipped Lee and his high salary to the Boston Celtics, where he’s underwhelmed to say the least. This past week, Lee was waived by Boston after they couldn’t even get any trade offers and now the rumors are he’s headed to Dallas:
David Lee is expected to sign with Dallas for the room exception of $2.1 million once he clears waivers, league sources tell The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 20, 2016
The Mavericks probably won’t make him a starter, but they won’t be paying him a starter’s salary, either.
The fact is, until last year, Lee was averaging over 15 points a game six years in a row. He lost his spot on the Warriors to Green last season after a preseason injury sat him out for almost the entire first quarter of the season and Green became a star. But Lee turns 33 this season and is clearly on the decline. It’s time to come to terms with his new supporting role.
At least he’ll still be on a playoff contender!