The New York Knicks are forced to move on to Plan B after one of their top free agent targets, LaMarcus Aldridge, canceled his meeting with the team. New York still hopes to be in the running for center DeAndre Jordan, but the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks appear to be the only realistic teams in that hunt. While Robin Lopex remains an option, it's clear that the free agent market is not yielding the type of return Phil Jackson was hoping for. That is why the Knicks may turn to the trading block.
"I do know that Knicks have had discussions about reacquiring [David] Lee. But they had to explore all FA options first. It's a possibility," Howard Beck of Bleacher Report tweeted.
Lee spent the first five years of his career with the Knicks where he emerged as one of the top offensive big men in the league, topping 20 points per game in his final season with the team. While he has been productive for the Warriors over the last few years, his injury to start the season opened the door for what would become a breakout year for Draymond Green. Lee ended up playing just 18.4 minutes per game during the regular season, the lowest mark since his rookie year.
The Warriors are trying to shave payroll to avoid a harsh luxury tax and moving Lee's $15.49 million salary for the 2015-16 season is one way to do that. Expect the Knicks to be interested if they continue to strike out on their free agent targets.
