The New York Knicks have agreed to a sign-and-trade deal with David Lee (number 9 on the Big Board) that will send him to the Golden State Warriors on a 6 year, $80 million contract. The Knicks will receive Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiaf, and Kelenna Azubuike in return. Lee now goes from one crappy team where he can put up good numbers to another crappy team where he can put up good numbers. Yeah for him. I like David Lee but I think he's getting overpaid here. His stats are inflated from playing in Mike D'antoni's fast paced system for a team that had no one else who could score and he's not really what I would call a "winner." Heading off to play for Golden State somewhat affirms my thoughts on him. I understand wanting to get paid but if I'm a young NBA player and potential All-Star and I've just spent 5 years with a crap team like the Knicks, I'm not signing up for a long term deal with an equally dysfunctional team like the Warriors. I think I'd want to have a chance to win some games. Still, he's a Don Nelson wet dream and he'll put up good stats for Golden State. How many wins they'll get along the way is the tricky part.
On the flip side, I actually, for the first time in YEARS, think the Knicks made a smart move here. They're not winning anything with Lee and Amare Stoudemire paired together so why not get some cap space for next year (Carmelo Anthony) and pick up two talented players in Randolph and Azubuike? Randolph is one of the more coveted potential-laden players in the league who will play for D'antoni. And Azubuike could be a 15 point, 5 rebound, 4 assist guy in New York. Good trade for the Knicks, questionable for the Warriors, weak for Lee.
Warriors Grade: B-
Knicks Grade: A-
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