The Golden State Warriors reportedly could decide to put forwards David Lee and Harrison Barnes on the trade block before the February deadline. Grantland's Zach Lowe believes Golden State's desire to get below the tax line could have them shopping Lee with Barnes thrown in as a trade sweetener.
The league's new multi-billion dollar television deal will cause the salary cap to go up. The question, though, is by how much each season. With no idea how high the cap will be for the upcoming seasons, teams are somewhat in limbo when it comes to making deals.
Depending on how the cap increase plays out, Lee and Barnes could find themselves on the trade block.
Per Lowe:
"The Warriors might be willing to bite the tax bullet for one season, depending, again, on where the league and union end up on smoothing. If things break right for Golden State, the tax line in the following 2016-17 season will shoot far beyond the point at which they'd really have to worry about ever paying again.
"Regardless: Don't be shocked if Lee ends up in trade rumors over the next few months. Barnes in theory could work as that trade sweetener, since the Warriors could probably get by on the wing with (Andre) Iguodala, (Klay) Thompson, Shaun Livingston, Leandro Barbosa, and (Draymond) Green logging spot minutes at small forward."
If Golden State is unwilling to chance being over the tax line, getting rid of the $15.4 million Lee is due next season would be a good start in making sure it doesn't happen. Lee is a verteran with playoff experience who is still productive, coming off a season with averages of 18.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. There'll be a market for him closer to the February deadline, and the Warriors have already demonstrated a willingness to trade him: both he and Barnes were named earlier this summer as potential pieces in a failed trade for Kevin Love.
