David Lee?

[Yoki_IsTheName]

There are a lot of "if we want to win, we have to trade David Lee" talks here in the Bay. It seems like their Playoff success without Lee is becoming more and more of a better idea moving forward.

And why wouldn't it? Lee will be owed around $30 million more in the next two years. And his defense, well, we know he's very bad at closing outs and help defending.

But with the bad comes the good. Lee is a double-double guy. Relatively young (30) and a low post option. A great pick and roll guy who can probably run it well with Rondo. Great playmaking skills for a big man.

So if indeed the Warriors would like to trade Lee, even though there are no reports about it (but the fans want him out), would they be okay with...

Boston trades Brandon Bass, Jordan Crawford, Keith Bogans, (maybe the Clippers 1st?)
 
GSW trades David Lee, Ogden Kuzmic, 2015 2nd round.

So why for the Dubs?

They lose Lee, but they get Bass, who's not a big downgrade. Basically they bolster their supposedly weak bench. They also get Crawford, who's an upgrade for Toney Douglas. Keith Bogans is expiring, along with Bass's contract, that's a bit of a salary relief.

Why for us?

David Lee, Jeff Green and Rajon Rondo is a VERY SOLID core. We would still have our picks and a ton of assets to build around that solid core. In the next two years David Lee will under contract, we'll be talented enough to contend for a Playoff spot, and depending on how Danny plays his card, could very well contend.

Personally, as both a Celtics and Warriors fan (can't help it, hometown team), I like both deals. Although taking more salary is not a rebuilding thing to do, we're getting a very talented player.

Okay, fire away!

[Enzzo]

I have always been a fan of Lee, I think he would make a great addition to our squad. The only problem is I don't think GS would get rid of him for those guys.

I didn't realize fans want him out, why is that?

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

The idea has merit. Lee is a defensive downgrade from Bass but a better rebounder and offensive presence, mainly due to his low-post play. Then again, Boston wouldn't be resolving its PF logjam, simply swapping one 4 for another.

I've always been kinda interested in having Lee on the Celtics, but in the end, I'd rather continue to groom Sully as the PF of the future for Boston, and use Bass as trade bait for a legit center.

[pearljammer10]

Ive always liked David Lee but I feel like he is an underrated player. Doesnt get the appreciation he deserves however he isnt a guy that can take over a game on either end of the floor. Great complimentary piece, especially offensively. But when he isn't paired with a great defensive center you can see his flaws.

I just dont the Warriors downgrading from Lee to Bass while they have such a solid lineup together. Unless its purely money related. They aren'y playing up to their potential yet but they have a pretty solid lineup, if healthy, come playoff time and I dont see why they'd disrupt that.

[Mr October]

If i am the warriors who are looking to win right now, i would look for a better package than bass, Crawford and a late first.

That might be a good deal for the celtics though. But, After watching our guys decline during their mid 30s, i have a hard time imagining the celtics taking a win now plunge beginning with the soon to be turning 31 David lee. I am ready to go young and fast instead.

[jambr380]

I don't know. I have always seen Lee as a guy who puts up huge stats on okay teams (better than huge stats on bad teams), kinda like Monta Ellis in the front court. And while he is obviously a very good player, I never really saw him as the type of impact player you build a team around.

I am sure I generally underrate Lee and he would be an improvement over Bass / Sully, but I don't think enough to warrant his contract / age.

[pearljammer10]

I don't know. I have always seen Lee as a guy who puts up huge stats on okay teams (better than huge stats on bad teams), kinda like Monta Ellis in the front court. And while he is obviously a very good player, I never really saw him as the type of impact player you build a team around.

I am sure I generally underrate Lee and he would be an improvement over Bass / Sully, but I don't think enough to warrant his contract / age.

Yeah I was going to compare David Lee to Al Jefferson in this light. I think Lee has been able to put up better numbers on slightly better teams where Jefferson has just had no luck anywhere he has gone and been the big stat guy on garbage teams.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I have always been a fan of Lee, I think he would make a great addition to our squad. The only problem is I don't think GS would get rid of him for those guys.

I didn't realize fans want him out, why is that?

The Dubs had a rough start. And they feel like Barnes at the 4 would be a much better fit for Klay and Steph.

That plus Lee's defense and being overpaid, I guess.

Ive always liked David Lee but I feel like he is an underrated player. Doesnt get the appreciation he deserves however he isnt a guy that can take over a game on either end of the floor. Great complimentary piece, especially offensively. But when he isn't paired with a great defensive center you can see his flaws.

I just dont the Warriors downgrading from Lee to Bass while they have such a solid lineup together. Unless its purely money related. They aren'y playing up to their potential yet but they have a pretty solid lineup, if healthy, come playoff time and I dont see why they'd disrupt that.

Actually true. I mean compare to Lee the players going in to the Warriors are not as, well, maybe established. But it gives them the depth they need (outside of Center maybe), salary relief and a pick in 2015 (maybe). I guess they can get better offers, but I think this is a very solid deal. Bass has range too (about 20 feet?), fits well with the shooters.

[LooseCannon]

I don't see David Lee as the sort of player I would want as part of the core to build around.  I prefer that the big contracts for core players go to guys who are above average defenders.  A potential 20-10, no-defense big shouldn't be one of your top three players if you want to win a championship.

[Who]

Not interested.

I think Sully is almost as good as David Lee and could surpass him over the next year or two. I don't like the idea of them starting together due to lack of interior defense and shot-blocking.

David Lee could work as a 6th man but $15 million a year for a 6th man? Plus, the cost of whatever assets you have to give up to land him? I don't see that as a good long term strategy. I don't think Lee is a good fit here in Boston. Because of Sullinger.

[Atzar]

One question:  if they feel that they're better served going forward without him, why should we feel any different?

I don't see why he'd go from being an unwanted piece to suddenly being part of a 'very solid core' just by coming to Boston.  Putting on a green jersey isn't going to magically fix the things that hold him back as a basketball player.

[2short]

Always liked David Lee's game but the cost of having him on the team doesn't make sense.  I don't feel the difference between Lee and Sully is big enough to have the much larger contract. 
We need an upgrade at sg and a legit center if we are doing trades.  By the way Mr Bass who I was so rough on early in year has played very well this year.  His defense is the best I've seen him play.  If only he was 6'10" he and sully would make a pair up front!

[LooseCannon]

One question:  if they feel that they're better served going forward without him, why should we feel any different?

I don't see why he'd go from being an unwanted piece to suddenly being part of a 'very solid core' just by coming to Boston.  Putting on a green jersey isn't going to magically fix the things that hold him back as a basketball player.

It sounds like this is a bunch of fans saying stuff that isn't necessarily what the team feels, but if the team is looking for an upgrade, if you look at Lee, Curry, Bogut, Barnes, Thompson, and Iguodala, if you were going to shake up the team by getting rid of one of them, which one would you choose?  This is basically people saying something has to change for the sake of change because they think the roster has come close to maxing out its potential.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

One question:  if they feel that they're better served going forward without him, why should we feel any different?

I don't see why he'd go from being an unwanted piece to suddenly being part of a 'very solid core' just by coming to Boston.  Putting on a green jersey isn't going to magically fix the things that hold him back as a basketball player.

LooseCannon said it best. Out of that group, as good as he is, he is the odd man out. Especially when Barnes worked at the 4 in the Playoffs. They can use David Lee to get something that is more needed, bench help. The only reliable guy they have is Draymond Green.

He's still a bad defending, double double producing David Lee. He's not holding the Warriors back. He's just the least favorite out of the core moving forward, who fans might think should be the one to be moved if they the Dubs need to reshape the roster.

[slamtheking]

don't like it for the C's -- many others have mentioned a lot of solid reasons why before me.

we need to build with younger players, not players in their 30's making $15 mill a year that don't play solid D.  that and we already have 3 other PFs without Bass.