Portland: Why Millsap over David Lee?

[huzy]

Going into the offseason, there was a lot of talk about Portland being the prime location for David Lee to end up. Outside of the following excerpt, I haven't heard much about Lee so far.

The agent for the Knicks' David Lee tells 1050 ESPN New York's Andrew Marchand, there are a "bunch" of sign-and-trade possiblities for Lee. Mark Bartelstein, Lee's agent, says that, "Hopefully, something will pop soon."
Bartelstein says that the sign-and-trades are complicated so they take some time. Ultimately, Lee, who is a restricted free agent, could still just sign with the Knicks. Lee could take a one-year offer from the Knicks and then become an unrestricted free agent next season.

John Hollinger had wrote recently that one common theme of the offseason thus far is a reluctancy for teams to make a run a Restricted Free Agents. It seems with the below details that the shoe has dropped with the Paul Millsap offer:

"The Blazers front-loaded the contract to make it difficult for Utah to match. They gave Millsap a $5.6 million signing bonus and agreed to pay him $4.7 million of his first-year, $6.3 million salary the day the contract becomes effective.

So a week from now, Millsap would receive $10.3 million. Add to that the $1.6 million that will be spread throughout next season and Millsap, who was paid just $797,581 last season, will be paid $11.9 million this year. The remaining $20.1 million will be spread over the final three years of the deal.

My question is why wouldn't Portland extend this type of offer to Lee? While I know Millsap would bring them a needed toughness factor, if I had my choice between the two I would prefer Lee based on his body of work. Looking at each player comparable stats, it looks as though Portland took a run at an inferior player:

David Lee, Age 26, 6'9 - Restricted Free Agent
MPG: 29.8   REB: 10.4    PTS: 10.7 - 2006-07
MPG: 29.1   REB: 9.0      PTS: 10.8 - 2007-08
MPG: 34.9   REB: 11.8    PTS: 16.0 - 2008-09

Paul Millsap, Age 24, 6'8,  Restricted Free Agent
MPG: 18.0   REB: 5.1    PTS: 6.8 - 2006-07
MPG: 20.8   REB: 5.6      PTS: 8.1 - 2007-08
MPG: 30.1   REB: 8.8    PTS: 13.5 - 2008-09

Apparently Lee is looking for something in the vicinity of 10 Million a year, however, I can't imagine that many teams would be willing to offer a deal much more attractive to what Portland extended to Millsap. Especially factoring in how front loaded the offer is.
While many on this site feel that it would have been a better move for Portland to extend this type of offer to Lamar Odom, I think factoring in Lee's age and consistent motor, he should have been Portland's primary focus. The only detriment I can see would be his potential unwillingness to come off the bench. With a front line already in place that includes Lamarcus Aldridge and Oden or Prizbilla at Center, you'd have to think that either Lee or Millsap wouldn't crack the first 5. However, I think Portland should have at least proposed a similar deal to Lee before looking into Millsap.

[paintitgreen]

This to me is a much better question than why Millsap over Odom? TP. I can't figure out why Lee is getting no attention whatsoever. Unlike Millsap, he can actually play center in addition to power forward, so they could use Przybilla to bring in a playmaking 1 or 3.

[ToppersBsktball10]

Well, David Lee's numbers are inflated because he played for D'antoni so he's going to have a few more points and rebounds than if he was on another team. I've heard Millsap has all-star potential and he showed flashes of it when Boozer was out. Neither of them really fit though seeing as they would have to back up Lamarcus Aldridge.

[paintitgreen]

That's why I like Lee more - he at least gives them a center option, too. Neither Aldridge nor Millsap has shown an ability to play the center position.

[byennie]

My guess would be defense. I think Lee has a wider array of talents, but he's a very poor defender. They are both good players, though. I assume the Blazers still think Oden is going to be their center.

[huzy]

Well, David Lee's numbers are inflated because he played for D'antoni so he's going to have a few more points and rebounds than if he was on another team.

I would understand this sentiment if these numbers were all under D'Antoni. Lee also put up similar numbers when playing for Isiah Thomas.

In regards to Millsap's All Star potential, I think that's a lot of money to invest in someone who has only shown "potential All Star" production during the brief stint where Boozer was injured. 

[GaBerkowitz]

i also read that they think millsap can play the 3 some.  that gives them some options to go really big upfront.

i think the move they need to make is offer

aldridge, fernandez and filler to toronto for bosh.  why either team says no to that idea I'm not sure.

Toronto would get a solid replacement in Aldridge. and a capable role player in Fernandez.  Portland would add a very talented sidekick in Bosh to pair next to Roy.  Seems like thats a move that should get made either during the offseason or before the trade deadline.

[GKC]

i also read that they think millsap can play the 3 some.  that gives them some options to go really big upfront.

i think the move they need to make is offer

aldridge, fernandez and filler to toronto for bosh.  why either team says no to that idea I'm not sure.

Toronto would get a solid replacement in Aldridge. and a capable role player in Fernandez.  Portland would add a very talented sidekick in Bosh to pair next to Roy.  Seems like thats a move that should get made either during the offseason or before the trade deadline.

It's also a financial thing. David Lee is looking for 12 million a year according to ESPN. Also, I don't think David Lee would come off the bench, and that had to factor a lot into Portland's thinking.