With Draymond Green stepping up and the team playing so well, his days were numbered. Lee was a valuable member of the Warriors for years but his role dwindled last season and Lee was set to make $15.5 million if he stayed with the Warriors for the upcoming season.
Advertisement
Lee is scheduled to earn $15.49 million, while Wallace will get $10.10 million in the final year of their respective contracts next season.
Wallace will turn 33 before the start of the 2015-16 season. He would have likely continued to come off the bench for the Warriors like he did this past season.
So is it any wonder that, after news broke of his trade to the Boston Celtics, Lee was met with much love from teammates, including this heartwarming tweet from Stephen Curry? The 32-year-old had four double-doubles throughout his 10-year career.
The 7-foot-1 Marc Gasol is coming off the best season of his seven-year National Basteball Association career.
“The journey from a 23 win team to National Basteball Association Champs is one I’ll never forget”, Lee wrote. The Warriors’ comeback fell short, but the team regained its rhythm behind Lee’s pick-and-roll play and ball-movement, which had been sorely lacking in the series. He played in and came off the bench in 32 games last season. He also funded a trip for the entire team to Las Vegas following the championship parade, and every player and coach continues to praise Lee’s unselfish nature. It’s hard to see him go but everybody knew it had to be done. A true vet who looked out for me and all the young guys. He averaged 17.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists last season for Memphis.
Whether there’s a role for Wallace on the Warriors is uncertain. The Warriors and Celtics can not announce the deal until Thursday, when the league moratorium on roster moves is lifted.
Advertisement
Wallace will have to fight for minutes on a deep and talented Warriors team that includes forwards Green, Andre Iguodala, Harrison Barnes, Marreese Speights and Brandon Rush.
