From what I read.... Lee's agent is already floating the 11-mil per rumor.... DET & POR are very much interested. DW even hinted that it would take 8-10, where 8 would probably be the limit NYK would go.
I'm just saying.... I'm not paying David Lee 11 a year; and no.... I wouldn't pay him 10 mil a year. If he accepts 8-9 mil, where we backload it (to keep price down in 2010).... I can work with that. I doubt that's what he's looking for though.
I don't know what you're getting at now, you're disagreeing with what I say yet repeating it...
Like I said, I doubt anyone is gonna give Lee 11 mil. Realistically he is not worth that big a contract.
Portland? They already have Aldridge who is taller, scores more, can block shots, more athletic. I have no idea why they would want to overpay Lee when they have Aldridge for less for another season.
Detroit is an option sure, that's probably the only team in the league I could see offering Lee more than we are willing to pay him. HOWEVER there are a whole host of PF options in free agency this year and Lee is for sure not the cream of the crop, let's see who else could be picked up, either better or cheaper than Lee:
Ron Artest - 2 inches shorter, older and more expensive but an actual star player with explosiveness and more muscle.
Carlos Boozer - One of the best PFs in the league, more expensive but again, a LOT better.
Lamar Odom - Inconsistent this year but easily on Lee's calibre skillwise and probably cheaper/the same costwise.
Paul Millsap - Equally as talented as Lee, younger, put up the same stats during Boozers injury absence on a team which actually has legitimate scorers and big men.
Anderson Varejao - Not as talented offensively but a much better defender and certainly cheaper than 11 million per.
So to think that Detroit are gonna just go for Lee when there are better/cheaper/equal PFs on the free agent board is just silly. Everyone knows Lee's stats were inflated due to this system, playing alongside a legit C you could basically half his rebounds. No midrange jumper, no defense. Don't think that these other teams don't know that either.