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11/22/2024 05:36:18 am

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NBA Trade Rumors: David Lee On His Way Out Of Golden State?

From L to R: Draymond Green, David Lee, and Stephen Curry

(Photo : Getty Images) Draymond Green, David Lee, and Stephen Curry celebrates on the bench during of their playoff games this year.

Ten-year veteran David Lee used to be the Golden State Warriors' main man and premier option at the no. 4 spot. But it's amazing how things can drastically change at such a short period of time.

Just a couple of seasons ago, Lee became the first representative of the Warriors' franchise in the 2013 All-Star Game since Latrell Sprewell did it in 1997. He was also selected to the All-NBA Third Team that year and was one of the main reasons why Golden State entered the playoffs. Now, after seasons of recurring injuries to his hip, hamstring, and back, he was clearly no longer the team's top dog and even his power forward starting spot was eventually taken away from him.

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Those positions now belong to league MVP Stephen Curry and rising star Draymond Green, which left the 32-year-old former Florida standout coughing up minutes of playing time.

With 7.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg, and 1.7 apg in 18.4 mpg, his 2014-2015 season averages are the lowest in his career since his rookie year. This postseason, he only averages a career-low 7.6 mpg, which is obviously disappointing for his fans, but something that cannot question Steve Kerr's leadership as the Warriors are currently successful because of it.

Without enough playing time, it was apparent that Lee's on-court confidence is slowly going down, although CBS Sports' Ruben Palacios reported that the 2007 Rookie Challenge MVP is learning to adjust to it.

Lee goes more in-depth in an interview with the New York Post's Marc Berman about his struggles with limited playing time. He admits that being out of the team because of injuries and then returning with his status changed is "no fun" at all. Yet he insinuated that playing to win a championship entails a lot of sacrifices. And if this is his path to an NBA title, then he said that he would gladly take it.

But rumors are still abounding with regards to the All-Star forward's future with Golden State. Bleacher Report's Joseph Zucker believes that Lee might look for those heavy minutes in a different team starting next season. After all, he is still in great shape and could punish a team with his double-double presence in any given night.

Are the Warriors ready to let him go if ever he requests out?

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