The Boston Celtics have been very prevalent in trade talks, as expected, with the trade deadline getting very close. Most of the talks surrounding the Celtics have been about acquiring a star player, but there is at least one player they are trying to unload as well. David Lee has not been happy with his lack of a role in Boston, so the Celtics have been looking for possible deals. If the Celtics cannot find a deal, it is expected that they'll agree to a buyout, according to Howard Beck of Bleacher Report.
Lee is in his first season with the Celtics after winning a championship with the Golden State Warriors a year ago. Lee wanted to be traded from the Warriors because he knew he wouldn't get playing time there, so Golden State obliged and sent him to Boston. The Celtics acquired Lee with the intent of having him be a big part of the team, but it hasn't panned out that way.
Lee has played in just 30 games all season and one of the team's last 17. The 32-year-old forward has made it clear that he is not satisfied with just sitting on the bench and collecting money, so he wants to go to a team that will have a role for him. Lee and the team are working together "amicably" to find a solution, according to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe, and he is expected to be elsewhere sometime soon.
Trading Lee might prove to be difficult for the Celtics because Lee is making more than $15 million this season and they do not want to take on future money in any sort of deal like this. Because of this, a buyout becomes an option, in which case Lee would get to choose which team he goes to after he leaves the Celtics.
The reports make it seem as though it is a foregone conclusion that Lee will either be dealt or bought out within the next month. It is unclear what teams might have interest in Lee, but it would seem as though he could garner some sort interest considering he has been effective when he has been on the court. In just 15.7 minutes per game, Lee is averaging 7.1 points and 4.3 rebounds, so that production would likely be welcome in some team's rotation.
