Fresh from its first NBA Championship in 40 years, the Gold State Warriors have traded veteran power forward David Lee to the Boston Celtics in exchange for swingman Gerald Wallace.
Wallace, 32, spent the last two years in Boston after having been on at least five teams over the last 14 seasons. He averaged 3.7 points with three rebounds per game and has appeared in 90 games.
Lee, 32, has confirmed the trade report and wrote on his Instagram account, dlee042, "Want to take a moment to thank the entire Bay Area for what's been the best 5 years of my life. The journey from a 23 win team to NBA champs is one I'll never forget. Thanks to the most loyal fans in basketball for supporting me the entire way!
"This season's success happened because of the amazing character and chemistry from the 15 men on the roster, the front office, coaches, and staff all wanting the same thing, to win a championship."
Lee appeared in the NBA All-Stars in 2010 and 2013 and has 49 regular-season games on his cap, with four starts. He was the second highest-paid player of the Golden State Warriors in the last season where he averaged 7.9 points with 5.2 rebounds in just over 18 minutes per game.
He continued, "Much Love for the Bay and for the Warriors and I'm truly blessed to have been a part of it!"
With the trade, Lee stands to earn $15.4 million in the coming 2015-16 NBA season with the Celtics in the final year of a six-year, $80-million deal he inked with the Golden State Warriors in 2010, said the LA Times. Lee was draft by the New York Knicks with the 30th overall pick in 2005.
The trade deal between the Golden State Warriors and the Boston Celtics will be beneficial to Lee's career as he lost his starting spot to Draymond Green early in the season due to a hamstring injury after a strong showing in training camp. He is facing a diminished role in the next season if he stay with the Warriors, reported ESPN.
Green posted on his Twitter, @Money23Green, congratulating Lee over the trade, "The part of the business that sucks! Wish my big bro @Dlee042 nothing but the best and I appreciate you showing me the way Champ!!!Much love."
ESPN reported in June that the camps of Lee and the Warriors have agreed to find a new team for the veteran power forward following the Golden State Warriors first NBA Championship. Trading Lee to a new NBA team will give the former NBA All-Star more minutes of playing time and at the same time free the warriors some financial burdens.
