Last Updated on July 20, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

David Lee was a skilled NBA power forward and playmaking big whose efficient interior scoring, elite rebounding, and high-post passing made him a central offensive piece for the New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors during the late 2000s and early 2010s.

A two-time NBA All-Star, Lee thrived as a versatile pick-and-roll finisher and double-double producer, blending soft touch around the basket, strong basketball IQ, and unselfish ball movement within fast-paced, team-oriented offenses.

Here is the detailed information about David Lee, a former NBA player:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: David Lee
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born on April 29, 1983
  • Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 9 inches (206 cm)
  • Weight: 245 pounds (111 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 10 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 16 (US)
  • Number: Wore jersey numbers 42, 10, 5, and 4
  • Position: Power Forward / Center
  • High School: Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis, Missouri
  • College: University of Florida (2001–2005)
  • NBA Draft: Selected in the 1st round (30th overall pick) in the 2005 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks
  • Teams Played For:
    • New York Knicks (2005–2010)
    • Golden State Warriors (2010–2015)
    • Boston Celtics (2015–2016)
    • Dallas Mavericks (2016)
    • San Antonio Spurs (2016–2017)
  • Championship Rings: 1 NBA Championship (2015 with the Golden State Warriors)
  • Kids: Married to Caroline Wozniacki, with whom he has children
  • Siblings: Not publicly available

Player Archetype / Play Style

David Lee’s player archetype was that of a skilled scoring-and-rebounding big, a mobile power forward/center who combined interior finishing, soft touch, and strong passing feel rather than relying on pure rim protection or bruising back-to-the-basket force. Defensively, his role was more functional than dominant, typically handling frontcourt assignments with effort and rebounding but not anchoring a defense as a high-level interior stopper. Offensively, he was at his best as a face-up big and interior finisher who could score around the rim, run the floor, rebound for put-backs, and create a little for others with sharp passing from the post or elbows. At 6-foot-9 and 245 pounds, Lee had good mobility, soft hands, and quality athleticism for a frontcourt player, and his overall play style was built around hustle, touch, rebounding, quick interior offense, and smart connective play as a modernized big for his era. (NBA)

Scouting Report

The interesting thing about David Lee is that people tend to remember the numbers before they remember how he actually generated them. He wasn’t overwhelming defenders with length or vertical explosion; he beat them by getting into the right spot a fraction of a second early. Around the basket he had an excellent feel for slipping behind ball-watchers, sealing late after a teammate turned the corner, and finding soft pockets where a simple catch became an immediate finish. He was equally comfortable short rolling after a pick-and-roll, catching on the move and firing a quick pass to the opposite side before the low man could recover, which is why offenses rarely stalled when the ball found him. To me, his passing was every bit as valuable as his scoring because he anticipated where cutters were heading instead of waiting for them to become open. The trade-off came on the other end. He competed on the glass and understood positioning, but defending in space exposed his limitations. Quick guards could force him into uncomfortable retreats, and he wasn’t the kind of back-line presence who erased breakdowns once the first defender was beaten. That’s why his best defensive possessions came when he could stay connected to the paint, finish possessions with rebounds, and let teammates handle the toughest perimeter assignments. It’s easy to overlook how well his touch translated into awkward situations, too. Floaters, quick push shots and improvised finishes off either foot kept him productive even when the initial action broke down. He didn’t need a play called specifically for him to influence an offense because he naturally kept possessions flowing with timely screens, handoffs and extra passes. Put him next to guards who consistently collapse the defense and wings who stretch the floor, and his strengths become much more pronounced. There are shades of Domantas Sabonis in the connective passing and offensive feel, while his interior scoring and rebounding rhythm occasionally recalled Zach Randolph, although Lee relied more on timing and movement than brute force to create his opportunities.

Notes

  • Similar players to David Lee include Domantas Sabonis, Kevin Love, and Kelly Olynyk.

Sources:

NBA.com — David Lee | Forward-Center | New York Knicks
DraftExpress — David Lee NBA Draft Scouting Report
Warriors World — Golden State Warriors David Lee Scouting Report
Grantland — David Lee’s Interior Defense, a.k.a. the Golden Gate