EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -After playing such a prominent role in the Orlando Magic’s run to the NBA Finals in just his rookie season, Courtney Lee figured that he would be an important cog with the Magic for many years to come.
Or so he thought. Just two weeks after the Magic lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, Lee was traded to the New Jersey Nets as part of the five-player deal that brought veteran All-Star Vince Carter back to his hometown of Orlando.
Suddenly, Lee’s world was turned totally upside down.
“It was definitely a shock,” said Lee, who was introduced to the media at the Nets training facility Tuesday. “After going all the way to the finals, I expected us to regroup and make another run at winning the title. But when I heard about the trade, I was in a state of shock. I sort of still am in shock.
“I can’t say I was prepared for this at all. I didn’t see it coming.”
component in the trade. The 6-foot-5 guard was coveted by the Nets before the NBA Draft a year ago, but they took Ryan Anderson instead. Anderson was shipped to Orlando with Carter as part of the deal, which sent Lee, guard Rafer Alston and forward/center Tony Battie to New Jersey.
Lee, a native of Indianapolis and a product of Western Kentucky, averaged 8.4 points and 2.3 rebounds per game for the Magic. He also played considerable minutes in 21 playoff games, averaging eight points per game, playing after suffering a broken eye socket that he said has since fully healed.
After taking his physical with his new team Tuesday, the 23-year-old Lee met with Nets head coach Lawrence Frank, who welcomed him to New Jersey.
Lee knows he can play more of a role with the Nets next season.
“I was a scorer in college and scoring has always come natural for me,” Lee said. “In Orlando, I knew my role wasn’t going to have to be strong on the offensive end, so I focused on defense. I didn’t have a starring role in Orlando. Now, I’m coming to a different place and I have a bigger opportunity.”
Battie, who has been traded five times during his 12-year NBA career, knows the Nets made a smart move in acquiring Lee.
“Courtney is a tremendous talent and the sky’s the limit for him. He’s quick, athletic and still learning the game.”
While Lee had a tough time handling the trade, the 33-year-old Battie was more realistic.
“It’s all about the business,” Battie said. “Anything can happen in this business. At any moment, you may have to pick up and leave. It’s not always about talent. It might be about business. The fact that I’m in the final year of my contract may have had something to do with this.”
Not to mention that Carter had more than $33 million remaining on contract, spanning two years with the Nets.
Alston did not participate in the media session. He was not feeling well and was undergoing his physical later Tuesday. He is schedule to meet the media on Wednesday.
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