Jan 4th 2009 4:45PM by Tom Ziller (author feed)
Filed under: Knicks, Trail Blazers, NBA RumorsVia P&T, reputable Tommy Dee of The Knicks Blog cites sources reporting that Portland is after New York forward David Lee. This isn’t a particular surprise as every team in the league (including the Knicks) loves Lee. The last rumor had New York refusing Denver’s offer of Chucky Atkins (expiring contract, decent back-up PG on a trigger-happy team) and two first-round picks for Lee. Two picks, even in the 20s … that’s a big of a haul, no? Given that reported rejection, actual players would need to be involved from Portland’s side.

Dee mentions Jerryd Bayless and Sergio Rodriguez, either of which could fit in to New York’s program. Better, the trade of either secures the back-up point guard position for the other, and that can’t hurt in terms of confidence. (It’s like Harry Potter’s prophecy, or something.)

The concern with Lee for Portland would be this: isn’t he superfluous? The Blazers have little trouble on the glass and have a surprisingly efficient offense. Lee’s strengths are … rebounding and efficient scoring. Portland needs help on swing defense and bench shot creation. That’s not Lee. At all.

Further, doesn’t Portland have enough offseason salary issues piling up without the quixotic restricted free agency of Lee mucking things up? Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge are eligible for extensions; Ike Diogu and Channing Frye will be restricted free agents and the Blazers have some cap space available, depending on the Darius Miles situation. Since the Blazers must give up something to get Lee, the team won’t want to let him slip for nothing. I don’t mean to question Kevin Pritchard’s ability to get things done, but it seems like an added trouble with little real benefit for this particular team.