The constant theme for Phoenix Suns, even since last season, is that they could use some help in the frontcourt. Miles Plumlee stopped looking like a starting-caliber center midway through the 2013-14 campaign, Markieff Morris‘ flaws as a rebounder overshadow (sometimes unfairly) his development as an offensive threat and Alex Len is a promising, yet young, raw and injury prone seven-footer.
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For all of these reasons, including the fact that P.J. Tucker or an out-of-position Brandan Wright represent the best backup options for Keff at the 4, most Suns fans are clamoring for the front office to select a power forward in this year’s draft.
But with general manager Ryan McDonough fully committed to the “best player available” drafting strategy and the Morris twins unlikely to be traded anytime soon, the news that David Lee could be on the move might have tempted some into wondering whether Phoenix could be a potential trade destination.
To cut to the chase, you don’t need to be praying the Our Father to resist being led into that temptation.
David Lee is a former All-Star and in his prime, was a regular double-double threat. He’s an excellent passer, he gobbles up rebounds (something Phoenix’s frontcourt needs help with) and can operate with his back to the basket. He’s a veteran, a solid locker room presence and is coming off a season where he took on a lesser role as an ultimate team player and consummate professional to help his Golden State win a championship.
The fact that David Lee and Andre Iguodala came off the bench without a single gripe after being former All-Stars emphasizes the word 'TEAM'
— Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) June 17, 2015
On paper, he’s the exact kind of positive, veteran presence the Suns are looking for, and at a position of need no less.
But given the direction this franchise is heading, not to mention the salary cap complications, there’s virtually zero chance Phoenix winds up being a possible trade destination for David Lee.
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Warriors and Lee’s agent will be working in conjunction to find a suitable trade for the former All-Star. The question is, what situation would suit both David Lee as a new home and the Warriors as an acceptable trade?
At 32 years old, Lee’s best days are behind him. He’s not that far removed from relevance; it was only last season that he was averaging 18.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game as Golden State’s starting power forward.
But as the league moves further into the pace-and-space era that Mike D’Antoni started with the Seven Seconds Or Less Suns, Lee’s gradual demotion into a backup role behind Draymond Green signifies a changing of the guard other teams shouldn’t ignore.
As defense, versatility and the ability to spread the floor with a perimeter jump shot become premium values for power forwards in the NBA, his diminished role as a garbage time player epitomizes the direction the league is heading and the complication that arises for undersized power forwards like Lee that can’t defend or knock down three-pointers.
Of course, there are still plenty of old school power forwards in the league, and there are quite a few teams that could use a nightly double-double threat like Lee. But these players are the last of a dying breed, and since the Suns need to add three-point shooting to the roster, they’d be far better off drafting someone like Bobby Portis or Myles Turner rather than paying Lee’s $15.5 million salary.
Speaking of Lee’s atrocious contract, Golden State’s biggest issue with finding a suitable trade partner for him will be locating a team that’s under the cap and can take on that extra $15.5 million, even if there’s only one year left on the deal. The Dubs are dealing Lee to avoid paying an extra $34 million in luxury tax payments for a benchwarmer.
Because of this, they’ll be trying to take back as little salary as possible, and may have to throw in a future first rounder to sweeten the deal. The Suns love acquiring future picks, but other than this year’s first rounder (No. 30), the Dubs don’t have a first-rounder to trade until 2019 (NBA teams are prohibited from trading back-to-back first round picks and Golden State is already sending its 2017 first rounder to the Utah Jazz).
Additionally, Phoenix won’t have the cap space for Lee after re-signing Brandon Knight and/or Brandan Wright this summer in free agency.
Sir Charles In Charge
To make room for Lee, the Suns would have to trade the Morris twins and pass on re-signing Wright. No offense to David Lee and his ability to contribute anywhere, but the Morrii, for all their developmental needs and off-the-court troubles, are younger and their contracts are absolute steals as the salary cap jettisons over the next few years.
Even if the Suns did decide to trade the Morrii and found a suitable trade, that deal would have to be for a disgruntled star to maximize their value — thus blocking the way for Lee.
Assuming the Suns failed to get a star out of a Morrii deal, trading the Morris twins for future picks, good as they might be, would signify another ground-up rebuilding project. And even in that scenario that would clear the way for Lee, the Suns would be better off using the subsequent cap room elsewhere.
On paper, David Lee’s rebounding and positive veteran influence seem like no-brainers for a team like the Suns. Hell, if we’re being completely honest, Lee’s midrange jumper isn’t terrible either. This guy definitely still has something to offer an NBA team and his reinsertion into the lineup in Game 3 of the NBA Finals may have saved the series for the Warriors.
But paying $15.5 million for a backup power forward — even for one year — doesn’t seem ideal. The Suns would be better off keeping the roster intact and developing internally for another year rather than scrambling around trying to make room for David Lee.
Next: Warriors' Championship The Culmination Of Seven Seconds Or Less Suns