Maybe he was just saying the politically correct thing, which is what David Lee normally has done during his four years with the Knicks.
Despite playing on a series of underachieving teams, he never complained about the coaching, never ridiculed teammates who seemed less committed than he; never questioned trades that destroyed any chance for the Knicks to be competitive.
Instead of voicing frustration, Lee has tried to stay positive and do his job, even if it meant playing center when he should be playing power forward.
“I’m in the position I’m in right now, so I’ll do my best at it,” he said last night after totaling 19 points and 13 rebounds in the Knicks’ 99-98 win over the Hawks at the Garden.
It was Lee’s 41st double-double of the season, an occurrence that has become so routine it’s taken for granted.
Perhaps that’s why it’s time for Lee to start thinking about himself and what his future might hold. And why you can’t blame him for entertaining the possibility of joining the Nets or any other team that might want him.
Lee will be a free agent this summer, and though the Knicks have $30 million-plus in cap space, the early projection is the team that drafted him 30th overall in 2005 won’t have enough cash to pay him.
The Knicks are looking to sign two players worthy of max deals, and with the franchise focused on landing LeBron James, then Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh, retaining Lee has seemed an afterthought. Perhaps that’s why on Saturday, when the Nets whipped the Knicks at the Garden, Lee seemed open to any overtures from the Nets.
He told the Post’s Fred Kerber: “The Nets are an interesting team. They’re a clear example of a team whose talent level doesn’t reflect the record.”
He then talked about the Nets having a high first-round pick, an established center in Brook Lopez and a star guard in Devin Harris.
“They could have a big turnaround year next year if they get a good free agent and the No. 1 draft pick,” Lee said.
Lee wouldn’t elaborate last night, content with a win after Saturday’s embarrassing 20-point loss to the Nets.
Joe Johnson, who will be one of the top five free agents available this summer, had 22 points for the Hawks, and prompted the usual speculation about whether he’ll be in a Knicks uniform next year. Lee has had to live with that all season, whether it was LeBron, Wade, Bosh, Johnson or Amar’e Stoudemire in the visitor’s dressing room.
Obviously, Lee will be looking for the most money. But just how much money he’ll command is difficult to gauge. Max deals normally go to a team’s best one or two players. Despite the improvement he has made in recent years, his skills aren’t enough to carry a franchise, or the Knicks (22-41) would be winning more than they have.
He’ll likely have to wait for the top-tier talent to announce their intentions before finding out where he might land. Still, the Knicks would be wise to show Lee some love and not let him feel he’s being pushed out the door. Regardless, you can’t blame Lee if he starts to put his own future ahead of the Knicks. They’re probably not one in the same.