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2017 Orlando Magic Free Agency Preview: The Power Forwards

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Dec 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) celebrates a three pointer against the Philadelphia 76ers at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the 76ers 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) celebrates a three pointer against the Philadelphia 76ers at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the 76ers 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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David Lee, San Antonio Spurs, Brooklyn Nets
Jan 23, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward David Lee (10) shoots over Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. San Antonio Spurs won 112-86. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

David Lee, San Antonio Spurs

Per Game Table
Season Age Tm G MP FG% FT% TRB BLK TOV PTS
2016-17 33 SAS 79 18.7 .590 .708 5.6 0.5 1.0 7.3
Career 829 29.3 .535 .772 8.8 0.4 1.8 13.5

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/28/2017.

I am personally a little obsessed with finding a veteran leader for the locker room. I think the team needs to find someone who will command respect in the locker room while still contributing meaningfully to the team. And I might be willing to overpay just a bit for this kind of player.

David Lee fits some of that bill. But certainly not all of it. The 33-year-old, former Florida Gators forward, has certainly slowed down. He is no longer the All-Star he once was. But he still has a reliable jump shot and will clean up and scavenge around the basket. Next to a player like Bismack Biyombo, he can spread the floor a little bit with his shot.

But Lee hardly fits the picture the Magic want. He does not extend out to the 3-point line. He is not a particularly good defender — the San Antonio Spurs help cover up a lot of his shortcomings but the whole center rotation was exposed in the Playoffs.

And the Magic have placed an emphasis more on athleticism and length. Neither of those adjectives describes Lee particularly well. In the modern NBA, Lee is more of a center than a power forward. And probably one who fills spot minutes off the bench. Unless the Magic have a plan to clear up that center logjam, Lee does not make a ton of sense.

The only good news with Lee is that the team might be able to get him for the veteran’s minimum. That is the only benefit to the Magic pursuing him.