David Lee to Portland in Sign and Trade?

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With Thursday’s NBA Draft on the front burner of many NBA teams, some, like the New York Knicks, are exploring all potential options available to them. Should the Knicks remain with the 8th pick in the draft, they have they sights set on either Ricky Rubio(if by any chance he slipped that far), Stephen Curry(their original preference), or Jordan Hill(though no one expects him to go past the Warriors). It is very possible that all three of those players will be gone by the time number 8 is on the board, so plan B right now seems to be making a deal. The Portland Trailblazers interest in David Lee has been strong for months now, and with Lee being able to test the free agent waters July 1, the Knicks know that they don’t want to lose Lee and gain nothing in return.

Lee is expected to command an annual salary in the $8-10 million dollar range, which is expected to be higher than what New York wants to tie up in him. The Knicks still have plans to keep as much money free for next summer as possible, so they could make a run for some of the big name potential free agents. The NY Post is reporting the Knicks could do a sign-and-trade with Portland, which would send Lee(with a new deal) to the Blazers, for a combination of players, which would certainly include Sergio Rodriguez, along with Travis Outlaw and possibly an expendable big man currently on the roster. Stay tuned…

In other news, the Arizona Republic is reporting that Phoenix seems unsettled on their target for the upcoming draft. The Suns hold the 14th pick currently, and with so many teams above them not sold on one particular player, Phoenix is not certain who exactly will still be on the board when it is their turn to select. We have heard everyone from DeJuan Blair and Austin Daye to Brandon Jennings and Terrence Williams being mentioned at that spot.

Tagged as: 2009 NBA Draft, austin daye, brandon jennings, david lee, Dejuan Blair, jordan hill, sergio rodriguez, stephen curry, travis outlaw