NBA Trade Rumors: 2015 Champ David Lee Being Shopped For Not Fitting In With The Team?
When you are coming off a championship, an achievement you played a great role for, everyone expects you to perform well next season. Not the case though for David Lee who was shipped by champion Golden State Warriors to Boston Celtics right after winning the 2014-15 NBA season. Thus, he is now part of wild NBA trade rumors.
The 32-year old forward had a considerable impact with the Warriors but that is not the case with his new team.
David Anderson of NBA.com said Lee is not fitting well with his new team. Also, Celtics coach Brad Steven thinks he cannot give the playing time Lee deserves.
"The Celtics have been very solid, but Coach Brad Stevens has a minutes problem, as evidenced by the lack of time for David Lee-whose expiring contract is available, per league sources," Anderson wrote.
"Danny Ainge has any number of movable pieces that could be packaged; no other teams has the guard inventory Boston has, with young, controllable talent like Marcus Smart, James Young and R.J. Hunter mixing with current incumbents Avery Bradley and Isaiah Thomas."
He added, "The logjam is no less severe up front, with Kelly Olynyk and Jared Sullinger and Jae Crowder and Jonas Jerebko and Amir Johnson and Tyler Zeller. And after Boston's inability to move up in the last couple of Drafts, Ainge might be more inclined to make a deal in season."
David Lee is not bothered by this NBA trade rumors though. In fact per a tweet by Celtics reporter Marc D'Amico, the foward seems himself still with the team and playing for them in the playoffs.
David Lee says postgame on the radio that no one will want to play the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs. He expects to be there.
— Marc D'Amico (@Marc_DAmico) December 24, 2015
With the NBA trade rumors surrounding David Lee, the 30th overall 2005 draft pick is at the lowest point of his NBA career ever since his rookie year. He peaked in 2009-10 season when he averaged 20.2 ppg and 11.7 rbg. It was also the same year that he made it to the All-Star Game. Now, he is only averaging 7.2 points per game with the Celtics. He also hauls 4.3 rebounds per game.