11 Players the Celtics never should have gambled on

9. David Lee

Lee played a key role in the Warriors dynasty. He helped the franchise go from 26 wins to a contender but is most famous for being replaced by Draymond Green during their first title run with Stephen Curry in 2015. The two-time All-Star could not shake the injuries, and Green’s play made him expendable.

The Celtics traded Gerald Wallace and Chris Babb to land Lee in July 2015, but he only lasted until February. Lee was past his prime and best suited for a bench role at that stage of his career. Boston had other options, and the 32-year-old was dropped from the rotation. He was eventually bought out and signed with the Mavericks.

David Lee played just 30 games with the Celtics where he averaged 7.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 15.7 minutes per contest. The two-time All-Star finished the season in Dallas and played one more year in the NBA before retiring in 2017 at 33 years old.

Most Boston fans likely forgot Lee’s brief stint with the Celtics. The team made the playoffs without him but was bounced in the first round by the Hawks. The 6’9 big man was a virtual non-factor in Beantown, but played a key role in the Warriors dynasty, even if he was on the fringes of the rotation by the time they won it all.