Knicks Might Re-sign David Lee

I think New York Knicks may want to re-sign David Lee instead of trading him. Here are a few things from the article:

Lee will be a restricted free agent this summer after the Knicks were unable to come to an agreement on a contract extension before the start of the season. It is believed that Lee, who will make $1.7 million this season, was seeking about $10 million per season in a new deal.

With the focus on having salary-cap space for 2010, Donnie Walsh wasn't inclined to give out lavish raises off a 23-win team. But after watching Lee for almost half a season, Walsh has told confidants that he has changed his mind about Lee.

"Unless someone blows them away with a trade," one source said, "[Lee] was told the preference is to sign him to a long-term extension."

One way the Knicks - who are owned by Cablevision, which also owns Newsday - can fit Lee into the budget and still have potentially more than $40 million in salary-cap space for the summer of 2010 is to trade Eddy Curry, who will make $11.2 million in 2010-11. Of course, Walsh also has to make a decision on Nate Robinson, the team's other restricted free agent this summer.

David Lee wants $10 million a year for his services, at least that is what his agent is trying to get him. That contract demand is tough. I don't know if I would give him that contract. Lee is a good player, but he is a role player. He can't defend even though he tries his hardest to defend. He has a good 15 footer, but Lee is pretty much a hustle player who rebound the basketball with the best of them. If I'm the Knicks, I wouldn't pay Lee that much money. He is simply not worth it. Maybe the Knicks and Lee's agent can meet somewhere in the middle.

NBA Rumors

As the NBA trade deadline nears, the rumors will start running rampant throughout the NBA. Some rumors will be true, while others will be false. Lets start with man called Starbury.

Stephon Marbury has been linked to the Celtics lately, even Garnett is signing off on a possible Marbury signing for the Celtics. The Celtics could certainly use his creativity and passing ability for their bench. The Celtics bench is having problems scoring. They do not possess any guard on the bench who can create for himself or others. Marbury would fill those voids and possibly play average to above average defense. I suspect that Doc Rivers and company will pass at this opportunity citing Marbury's attitude and how it could affect the team's chemistry. Since we're talking about the Celtics, Rivers has made it clear that he needs another big man. They do need some height. Patrick O'Bryant can't help them the way PJ Brown did last year. Big Baby Davis is short as is Leon Powe so getting a legit 6'10" or 6'11" player would do wonders for the Celtics second unit, especially in the rebounding department. Maybe a Jelani McCoy? I doubt they'll trade any of their pieces.

Speaking of big man, Joakim Noah seems to have wore out his welcome in Chicago, at least according to this journalist. Rick Morrissey, tell us how you really feel? Seriously, this guy has had enough of Noah and he wants him gone. Anybody need a 7 footer with an average all-around game? The Celtics say hello.

The Thunder have numerous pieces that contending teams could use such as Desmond Mason, Nick Collison, Earl Watson, Chris Wilcox, and Joe Smith. One writer has a list of possible trading partners for the Thunder. Here's the list:

Given what we know today, here are five attractive trading partners for the Thunder.

→Milwaukee: Charlie Villanueva and Tyronn Lue have recently been rumored to be on the move, with the Thunder named as a potential landing spot. The 6-foot-11 Villanueva creates mismatches with his inside-outside game, while Lue is a savvy veteran point guard who knocks down open shots and is a tough on-ball defender.

→Toronto: Anthony Parker and former Oklahoma State standout Joey Graham were reportedly included in a package that would have sent Earl Watson to the Raptors, and now former No. 1 pick Andrea Bargnani is reportedly on the trading block as well. The Thunder could use Parker and Bargnani’s perimeter shooting and Graham’s defense and toughness.

→Utah: With an abundance of shooting guards, and the Jazz potentially scrambling to re-sign big men Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap this summer, sharpshooter Kyle Korver could be made available at a bargain price.

→Detroit: Arron Afflalo and Amir Johnson are young players who fill two pressing needs for the Thunder on the wing and in the post. The Pistons are high on Johnson, but the Thunder could sweeten the deal with a future draft pick.

→New Jersey: Oklahoma product Eduardo Najera plays with a toughness and defensive mindset the Thunder sorely lacks. Swingman Jarvis Hayes is a 3-point threat who could help off the bench.

Detroit could probably be crossed off that list though getting one of the Thunder's big man such as Joe Smith could prove to be the missing piece for Detroit. Toronto seems to be the best match for the Thunder as Anthony Parker and Stephen Graham could provide the scoring punch off the bench that the Thunder sorely need. The Raptors will probably want a creative scorer in return to compliment Jermaine O'Neal and Chris Bosh. I don't think the Thunder have what the Raptors would probably want in return. The other suitors seem unlikely to trade with the Thunder.

Camby returning to New York? Sure does seem like a possibility. That three way trade doesn't benefit all three teams and probably shouldn't happen. What are the Clippers going to do with Quentin Richardson? He's only healthy body which the Clippers do need at this point. His value doesn't equal Marcus Camby's value. If the Clippers trade Camby, get a good young player or a veteran with equal value. As for the Knicks, Mike D'Antoni, for some odd reason doesn't like David Lee. I guess it is because Lee is playing center for the Knicks and he's rather short for that position. Newsday has a report up about the Knicks, Blazers, and Clippers possibly going forward with a three team trade with names such as Sergio Rodriguez and the usual suspects being involve. Hopefully, Mike Dunleavy knows what he's doing and gets something of value in return for Marcus Camby.