4. Courtney Lee
Courtney Lee‘s name was mentioned in trade rumors in September, before a neck injury sidelined him for two months and ended that scenario; head coach David Fizdale has not forced him into the rotation as previously assumed, leading to a minimal role.
In just 10 games, Lee averaged 5.3 points on 44.4 percent shooting. It was, at first, a showcase to potentially move him, and his $12.75 million contract for 2019-20, but the Knicks seemingly punted that idea and benched him for the “developmental” focus.
That does not mean Lee can’t move, but it makes him less likely to go, especially if teams demand a draft pick to take his contract. The Sacramento Kings, who have cap space and expiring contracts, make sense as a landing spot if something were to arise.
By shedding Lee’s salary, the Knicks would cross the $38 million in space needed to hand Durant a max contract. Otherwise, they have enough to sign Leonard, Kemba Walker, Jimmy Butler and other marquee names that will hit free agency.
This scenario likely depends on New York’s willingness to include draft capital. If they don’t, Lee may stick with the team through season’s end and into the offseason, when his contract becomes an expiring one.