Former Gator David Lee may have played his final game in a New York Knick uniform.

According to a report in the Boston Globe (http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/articles/2009/06/07/he_feels_nba_is_within_reach/?page=3), Knicks’ general manager Donnie Walsh is hoping to deal the restricted free agent in a sign-and-trade package this summer to cut the teams salary cap number.

New York has very publicly trimmed salary over the last year in hopes of freeing up enough space to sign a pair of the high-profile free agents next summer. That list includes LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Amare Stoudemire.

Lee is coming off of a career year in which he averaged highs in points (16), rebounds (11.7) and assists (2.2) while leading the league in double-doubles and playing in 81 games.

When Walsh took over prior to this season, he said that he was not interested in signing Lee to a contract extension because he wanted to get a closer look at what kind of player he is. That move likely helped Lee, who definitely added a few zeroes to his contract with this season’s play.

Lee has stated repeatedly throughout the last two years that he wants to remain in New York and help turn around a franchise that has been struggling for nearly a decade. It seems, though, that the team may not be able to afford him.

Free agency officially begins July 1. The NBA Draft is June 25.