David Lee. I was a little skeptical of how good he would be in the NBA, but he left me pleasantly surprised. On a horrible Knicks team, he was one of the few bright spots. Since the Knicks have about 16-17 players either under contract or free agents who Isaiah wants to bring back, there could be a way to get Lee. The Knicks already have Channing Frye (a fellow 2005 draft pick) slated to start at PF, along with Malik Rose, Mo Taylor, Renaldo Balkman (a SF/PF) and Jackie Butler (a PF/C who signed an offer sheet with the Spurs that the Knicks might match). I don't know if a portion of the TPE and a second round pick could get it done, but if the Rockets are unable to bring in a better, higher-priced player this summer, Lee would be a good fit. Heck, the Rockets would still have over $3M of the TPE left. Just a thought.
Where the Knicks already have Jalen Rose, Quentin Richardson, Jamal Crawford (SG/SF) and Renaldo Balkman (SF/PF)? Still a logjam. Lee can rebound the ball, something the Rockets could use. At 6-9, he has the size. He would be an affordable option for the Rockets, with a salary less than $1M.
Just checked 82games.com. David Lee played both SF and PF for the Knicks. However, the Knicks most effective lineup was the one featuring Lee at PF. http://www.82games.com/0506/0506NYK2.HTM
The only value Lee has in a trade for the Knicks is if he's packaged as a sweetener to move one of their less franchise friendly contracts.
Where did the term "TPE" come from? It's like the TE and the MLE had a baby and threw a P in there for fun. (it's closer to the TE, but he's obviously referring to the MLE)
TPE is traded player exception. it's actually the proper term although it usually refers to the entire exception used to makes trades possible when team are over the salary cap.
TPE is the correct term, but nobody really uses it. TE has gained a much wider consciousness and visibility among fans and media alike. Whatever floats your boat, of course. As for Lee, there are few role playing youngsters that I like more than him. He's exactly the type of SF/PF hybrid that the league is moving toward, with a very good combination of size and athleticism, and an automatic shot from the baseline. I don't see how we'd be able to pry him away from NY, but he'd be an amazing aquisition.
