Report: David Lee’s Expiring Contract ‘Available’ For Celtics Trade

With the holiday season comes the beginning of the NBA trade season, and the rumors already are starting to fly.

The Boston Celtics have made forward David Lee’s expiring contract available for a potential trade, NBA.com’s David Aldridge wrote Monday, citing league sources.

This rumor shouldn’t be too surprising given the Celtics’ roster as it’s currently constructed. Lee, who was traded to Boston from the Golden State Warriors in July and signed a one-year, $15.5 million contract with the club, is one of several players battling for minutes in head coach Brad Stevens’ crowded frontcourt.

The 32-year-old veteran is averaging 7.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in 15.6 minutes per game this season and sits roughly fourth in the big-man pecking order behind Jared Sullinger, Amir Johnson and Kelly Olynyk. He’s played well at times but certainly isn’t indispensable, and moving his contract as part of a trade package could allow Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge to net an All-Star-caliber player in return.

The NBA’s trade season continues until the Feb. 18 trade deadline, so plenty more rumors likely will surface over the next few months. But it appears the Celtics will be right in the thick of things.

Thumbnail photo via David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports Images