David Lee NBA Career Overview and Current Stats
David Lee is a retired NBA power forward/center known for his mid-range shooting and rebounding. His NBA career spanned from 2005 to 2017, with his most productive seasons coming with the Golden State Warriors. His career averages sit at 13.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game across 797 regular-season games. He was selected to the All-NBA Second Team in 2013 and played in the 2010 All-Star Game, which are key highlights in his NBA profile.
Lee's peak season came in 2012-13 with the Warriors, where he averaged 20.1 points and 9.3 rebounds per game while shooting 44.0% from three-point range. That season marked the first time a Warriors player averaged 20 points and 9 rebounds since Chris Mullin. His offensive versatility and pick-and-roll execution made him a key piece in the Warriors' early dynasty-building years before injuries altered his trajectory.
David Lee NBA Salary, Contracts, and Team Transactions
David Lee earned approximately $80 million in NBA salary over his career, with his largest contract being a five-year, $50 million deal signed with the Dallas Mavericks in 2015. His highest single-season salary was $14.5 million with the Mavericks in the 2015-16 season. His contract history shows a clear pattern of team-friendly deals early in his career followed by a lucrative but brief late-career max-level agreement.
Lee was traded from the Warriors to the Mavericks in a sign-and-trade deal in July 2015, and later played for the Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets before retiring. His career earnings reflect the market value of a versatile frontcourt player in the mid-2010s NBA landscape. Detailed contract breakdowns are available on the NBA's official salary database.
David Lee NBA Draft, Teams, and Post-Playing Career
David Lee was selected 30th overall in the 2005 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks, where he spent his first six seasons and developed into a starting-caliber power forward. He later joined the Golden State Warriors in 2010 via trade, where he played alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green and helped the team reach the 2013 NBA Finals. His career trajectory shows a clear shift from a high-usage Knicks role to a complementary three-and-D style in Golden State.
After retiring from the NBA, Lee has focused on business ventures and real estate investments, consistent with the financial planning paths taken by many professional athletes. His post-playing career aligns with the broader trend of NBA players transitioning into entrepreneurship and private equity. Information on athlete investment strategies can be explored through financial platforms like Forbes.