American Basketball

David Lee

There is a sad irony to David Lee’s continued emergence as a budding All-Star power forward.

The better he plays, the more likely Lee will command a contract too rich for the Knicks’ salary cap.

If the Knicks sign a player to maximum contract in 2010 — LeBron James — they will have about $10 million left over to offer Lee in the first year of a long-term deal.

If the Knicks continue their winning surge, and if Lee gets named to his first All-Star Game as a reserve, $10 million may not be enough.

HoopsWorld