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San Antonio Spurs: David Lee Agrees To 2-Year Deal

By Deasia Paige

Feb 24, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward David Lee (42) reacts after a basket in the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Center. The Thunder beat the Mavs 116-103. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward David Lee (42) reacts after a basket in the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Center. The Thunder beat the Mavs 116-103. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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David Lee adds to the newly found strength of the San Antonio Spurs’ frontcourt.

Free agent David Lee agreed to a two-deal worth $3.2 million — with a player option in the second year — with the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday, according to Shams Charania of The Vertical.

Although the two-time All-Star was seeking to play other places, San Antonio showed genuine dedication to and purpose for him, according to his agent Mark Bartelstein. “R.C. [Buford] and coach [Gregg] Popovich put a lot of time and energy to give David a visual of how much they wanted him and would used him,” Bartelstein told The Vertical.

After having a stellar college career with the Florida Gators under head coach Billy Donovan in which he won the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament championship in his senior year, Lee was selected by the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft.

In his four years with the Knicks Lee became an All-Star and averaged a career-best of 20.2 points per game. In the 2010-11 season, Lee was an unrestricted free agent and was later signed by the Golden State Warriors.

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    • Lee went on to become a key player for  Golden State. He was an offensive force for the team in his first four years there, averaging 16.5, 20.1, 18.5, and 18.2 points per game, respectively, while shooting over 50 percent.

    Everything went downhill for the 33-year-old after that. Lee’s downfalls began as the Warriors were ascending into an elite team. Lee, the highest-paid player on the roster, suffered a hamstring injury that made him miss the first 24 games of the 2014-2015 season.

    Draymond Green started in Lee’s absence and took over the job for good. Last season, Lee spent half the season with the Boston Celtics and the other half with the Dallas Mavericks as Golden State sought to create cap space by trading him. Lee agreed to a buyout with the Celtics before going to the Mavericks.

    Last season, Lee did not fail to be that consistent offensive force. He averaged 8.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game with a 63.6 field goal percentage. However, he missed the last two playoff games against the Oklahoma City Thunder after suffering a partially torn plantar fascia in his right heel.

    The most striking characteristic that Lee does not have would be his three-point shooting, so he really would not contribute to the team’s range. Lee would be the backup power forward to Lamarcus Aldridge, replacing Boris Diaw who was traded to the Utah Jazz.

    Although Lee does not duplicate the shooting range and defensive force of Diaw, Lee definitely adds to the frontcourt depth that the San Antonio is seeking after losing Tim Duncan.

    Though David Lee is not the same strong player that he once was and there seems to be uncertainty with him and his injuries, the power forward will definitely contribute to what Popovich is looking for as San Antonio retools their roster.

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    Lee will add depth to the roster that is prevalent with striking new faces such as Pau Gasol and rookies Dejounte Murray and Ryan Arcidiacono. Thus, the 11-year veteran will fit the system that the team is going for and will aid the frontcourt of Gasol and and Aldridge tremendously.

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