Golden State Warriors: The Pros And Cons Of David Lee’s Departure
Pro: Doing Right By Lee
There’s an old saying, “If you truly love something, set it free.” I’ve never really understood how that applies to relationships, but in the case of Lee and the Warriors, it’s pretty much spot-on.
If Lee was a fan favorite relegated to bench duty on a team that didn’t need him for 95 percent of the season, sending him to a Celtics team where he’ll get back on the court feels like an appropriate reward for the sacrificial role he took on without ever complaining — you know, other than the championship ring.
Warriors GM Bob Myers appreciated Lee accepting a secondary role on title team and had vowed to help him find a new home. Boston a good fit.
— Ken Berger (@KBergNBA) July 7, 2015
Lee said all the right things all season long about his demotion. He recognized that Draymond Green was what the team needed to win and the result was a magical season that saw a two-time All-Star mostly ride the bench. But now that the task of winning a title is done, Lee deserves the opportunity to earn minutes on a team that could use his penchant for racking up double-doubles.
On a defensive-minded team like the Warriors, Lee’s skills were no longer a good fit. But on a team like the Celtics that could use his interior efficiency, passing and rebounding, Lee’s defensive issues won’t be as much of a problem. That’s especially true on a Boston team that’s too good to tank in the Eastern Conference and might as well improve until it can acquire a star.
Next: Con: Lee's Not Useless