The Plan for the Knicks' David Lee

The Knicks plan for David Lee has got to be to keep him.  I will be shocked if Walsh panics and gives up on such a solid rotation player, who is better than his stats, which are pretty good this year.  This summer when Lee is a restricted free agent, there will not be that much money thrown around, and what is thrown around will go to stars and sure starters.  Think Shawn Marion, Allen Iverson, even Drew Gooden, all of whom will be unrestricted.  I would be shocked to see any team put an offer on the table over six million starting salary for Lee, and I think the Knicks would match that type of an offer. If I were Lee, I would think about the summer of 2010, when he can benefit from the increased raises that will be allowed starting that summer.  He also will have some leverage with the Knicks if they do sign a star.  When the Sixers signed Elton Brand this summer, Andre Iguodala had that type of leverage, where a big signing can be deflated by the lost of a ... (link)