So you’re on a Magic team that goes to the NBA Finals with Dwight Howard, a team that won 59 games, a team expected to win again next season. Then you get traded to the Nets, a team that’s now expected to show up next season.
“It was definitely a shock. Going all the way to the Finals on a good team, just expecting to regroup for next year and make it back to the playoffs again and just to get the news that you’ve been traded,” said Courtney Lee, the prime piece from the Nets’ point of view in the five-player, draft-night trade that dispatched Vince Carter to Orlando. “It definitely was a shock, but it’s one I have to live with.”
Lee was in town with veteran forward/center Tony Battie yesterday for physicals — point guard Rafer Alston was ill and is due today. Lee is seen by the Nets as one of their young, athletic wings. He’s a good defender who will get more opportunity as a scorer with the Nets than he would in Orlando.
Still, Magic versus Nets?
“Being the fourth or fifth option every night, and then coming to a different situation where there is more of a scoring opportunity, I feel that role is one I definitely could take on,” said Lee, who sees himself fitting into the Nets’ grand plan . . . sort of.
First, he has to discover what the plan is.
“I’m not really sure . . .,” said Lee, who shot 45 percent and averaged 8.4 points in his rookie season with the Magic then was a starter in the Finals. “We spoke briefly. It’s definitely a restructuring. That’s about all I can say about that right now. But I’m sure there is a plan.”
Well, that’s reassuring. Sounds better than, “Call us when, or if, we’re in Brooklyn.”
Battie said he understands Lee’s shocked state.
“But that’s the business. You deal with it and go on and be a professional,” Battie said. “Me being traded is no shock. For them to trade Courtney, that was a shock for me, to hear that. Tremendous talent. Young and upcoming guy. The sky’s the limit for him.”