Celtics waive David Lee, Dallas Mavericks could be landing spot
Almost as soon as the Boston Celtics waived forward David Lee on Friday, the Dallas Mavericks were considered a possible destination for the two-time All-Star.
Lee only played in 30 games this season for the Celtics and averaged 7.1 points and 4.3 rebounds in 15.7 minutes per game. Because they have the maximum 15 players, signing the 32-year-old Lee would require releasing someone.
Owner Mark Cuban wouldn’t say whether his team has interest in Lee. But the Mavs can offer Lee a salary cap exception of $2.7 million, more than most teams can offer the 6-foot-9, 245-pounder.
“Anybody who clears waivers we’re going to take a look at,” Cuban said. “We’ll wait and see who clears [waivers] and then go from there. Until somebody clears [waivers], there’s no point, right?”
Coach Rick Carlisle didn’t say much about Lee when asked before Friday’s game against Orlando.
“Lee’s a good player; he’s a very good player,” Carlisle said. “He hasn’t been playing that much, but I can’t comment on that situation at this time.”
Because he was waived before March 1, Lee is eligible to participate in the playoffs with whichever team he winds up with, except the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors traded Lee to Boston last July and he is ineligible to sign back with them for one year.
In 11 seasons, Lee has averaged 14.4 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. He had a season high 14 points in 15 minutes when the Celtics lost to the Mavs on Nov. 18.
Lee, a friend of Mavs forward Chandler Parsons, went 18 straight games this season not playing because of a coach’s decision. And when he couldn’t come to terms with the Celtics on a buyout, they decided to waive him.
Cuban said: “The only thing I remember about David Lee is when he was a rookie and we played them in the preseason and him and Dirk got into it in a big way.”
Watching Parsons
Forward Chandler Parsons had more than 100 family members and friends attend Friday’s game against the Orlando Magic.
That included his parents, who sat on the front row.
Parsons graduated from high school in Winter Park, Fla., in suburban Orlando.
“Growing up, my family has been season ticket holders since Day One of the Magic, so it’s kind of always been a dream for me to play here,” Parsons said. “So it’s still kind of surreal to come back and play no matter how many times it’s been.
“It’s always fun to come back and play in front of your family, and it’s a whole different feeling knowing that all the people you grew up with are here. When I was in college or high school I used to always come to the games.”
No bargains
Usually active at the trade deadline, the Mavs were silent Thursday. Cuban said nothing worthwhile was put on their plate.
“We talked a lot and we had a lot of interest in our guys, but none that we wanted to trade,” Cuban said. “Everyone wants a great bargain. Nobody offered us anything better than what we had.”
Cuban said there was a lot of interest in teams wanting to pry Chandler Parsons, Raymond Felton, Justin Anderson and Dwight Powell from Dallas.
Dwain Price: 817-390-7760, @dwainprice
This story was originally published February 19, 2016 at 7:49 PM with the headline "Celtics waive David Lee, Dallas Mavericks could be landing spot."