The Miami Heat could be the perfect spot for David Lee to land is he leaves the Boston Celtics.
According to Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck, the Boston Celtics could end up buying out forward David Lee should they not be able to trade him by the Feb. 19 NBA trade deadline.
Some trade buzz: BOS intends to move David Lee by Feb. 18 deadline, or buy him out. Lee is out of rotation and wants a role somewhere.
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) February 3, 2016
Lee, making about $15 million on an expiring deal this season, has too hefty of a price tag for the Heat to trade for him. However, he probably has too high of a price tag for anyone–other than the Portland Trail Blazers, who also won’t have a role for Lee and are focused on accumulating assets–to take on to the books.
Chances are, Lee could get bought out. If that’s the case, the Miami Heat should absolutely think about bringing the 32-year-old power forward on board.
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Lee is far from the pick-and-roll, post-up, one-man offense he once was. And, yes, he once was. However, he is just two seasons removed from averaging 18.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game for Mark Jackson’s Golden State Warriors.
The biggest difference for him these last two seasons was playing for Steve Kerr and Brad Stevens, two coaches who want to push the pace and don’t have room for the less-than-versatile big man.
While the Heat like versatility, they also don’t play at the pace that Boston and Golden State play. They have been trying to pick up that pace, but that’s is more in regards to getting into the offense, and not necessarily hustling for transition buckets or taking shots in the first seven seconds of the shot clock.
Lee would fit in nicely on Miami’s bench, where veterans have found career resurgences in the past.
With Josh McRoberts prone to injury, and injuries currently facing Hassan Whiteside and Chris Andersen, the Heat could carve out a role for Lee. Lee is a great, GREAT, passer from the post, and could give Miami and McRoberts-like presence should McRoberts get hurt again.
At the very least, he would give Miami another option in the front court when Andersen, Udonis Haslem and Jarnell Stokes are basically unplayable.
Speaking of Stokes, he would likely be waived to bring on Lee. Miami could sign Lee to a veteran minimum contract, since he would still be getting paid the full balance of his salary from Boston. Sure, the Heat would be paying a bit more on the salary tax that they’ve tried to get under, but Lee still has enough in the tank to make a difference for the Heat this season. If you ask me, it’s worth it.