Portland Trail Blazers Are Set Up for Major Success in the 2009 Offseason

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Lee's biggest suitors were the Memphis Grizzlies, but they couldn't afford to pay what his agent asked for, so they traded for Zach Randolph.

This leaves only two teams that could give David Lee a contract over the mid-level exception: Oklahoma City and Portland.

Who do you think David Lee would rather play for? A young, inexperienced Oklahoma City team with a nice group of young players in Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Kevin Durant, and Jeff Green?

Or would Lee rather play for a playoff team with a solid lineup of Kirk Hinrich/Devin Harris, Brandon Roy, Hedo Turkoglu, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Greg Oden?

I know what you're thinking: David Lee wouldn't want to play backup to LaMarcus because of how many minutes LMA played last season.

Here's why that's not true—the only reason Aldridge played that many minutes per game was because he would be moved to center because Oden and Przybilla were either injured or in foul trouble.

Both big men will come back next season more disciplined, and thus will not foul as often, letting Aldridge rest more, which would allow Lee to play solid minutes.

Think about it. A starting lineup of Hinrich/Harris, Roy, Turkoglu, Aldridge, and Oden. Also, a bench unit of Bayless, Fernandez, Batum, Lee, and Przybilla.

I'm sorry Laker fans. If and when Portland lands this lineup, there is no way the Lakers will waltz to a No. 1 seed in the West. The Blazers will be on your tail all season long.

All in all, this free agency is shaping up to be a solid one for the Portland Trail Blazers, and whether the other teams in the West like it or not, they will have to respect this young, but mature team. Otherwise, they will be left in the dust.

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