Talked with David Lee’s agent Mark Bartelstein. He gave the credit for the Warriors’ acquisition of Lee to general manager Larry Riley and his staff. He said they were hard after Lee from the start of free agency and worked tirelessly through countless scenarious to make it work.

Bartelstein: “I tell my guys, ‘Pay attention to who wants you most, because that means something.’ … They persisted.”

So Riley, in the end, got his guy though the likes of Minnesota, Toronto, New Jersey and Phoenix were interested in Lee. After landing one of the top 10 free agents in this year’s class, which is considered the best ever, members of the Warriors’ front office are riding high from this trade. But most fans, judging by the social media outlets and comments on Warriors-related blogs, are down on this trade.

Which is the accurate perspective? Well, I’m stealing an idea from my colleague, TK. Here is the case for and against David Lee. You be the judge.

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One source cautioned that a “curveball” could come any minute. But multiple sources confirmed the Warriors are under the impression they have acquired free agent power forward David Lee is expected to become a Warrior on Friday. And they’re elated.

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The biggest hurdle in the deal involving Knicks free agent forward David Lee and Warriors forward Anthony Randolph is LeBron James. Nothing happens until he decides.

The next biggest hurdle was whether Lee wanted to come to the Warriors. That is a hurdle no more, not as much anyway. The Warriors and Lee have all but agreed in principle to a six year deal totaling about $80 million, team sources told me. At an average of about $13 million per year, Lee would become the Warriors highest-paid player. If he signs it.

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Would you like the Warriors acquiring David Lee if they could also keep guard Monta Ellis?

That is a distinct possibility depending on LeBron James’ decision tomorrow. Multiple sources told me the Warriors have an offer on the table that sends forward Anthony Randolph and other pieces to New York in a sign-and-trade deal for Lee.

If LeBron announces he is going to New York, in order to make room for his max contract, the Knicks would have to renounce Lee to free up the cap space. That would end the sign-and-trade possibility and the Warriors’ chances at Lee. But if LeBron doesn’t say the Knicks when he announces his decision …

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Sure, the Warriors have three power forwards already. Still, they have their sights set on Knicks All-Star PF David Lee.

Several sources told me the Warriors are trying to do a sign-and-trade with the Knicks for Lee. I’m not sure of all the details, but I would call it a long shot. Probably nothing will happen until LeBron James makes up his mind. And there is no telling what kind of domino effect his decision will have, so it could be possible. It would likely require guard Monta Ellis (though in my opinion, Lee is much more appealing if he can play with Ellis and Stephen Curry). And, yes, the Warriors will probably have to overpay to get him.

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By now, you might have seen my list of free agents the Warriors might be interested in. And you probably see how largely off base that list has become. Why?

Because NBA executives have lost their mind, spending money like suburban housewives at a Bloomingdales grand opening. Rudy Gay, tops on my list, got $16 million a year from Memphis. Mike Miller, also on my list, was offered five years, $30 million from Lakers. John Salmons, another on my list, got five years, $39 million from Milwaukee, $44 million including incentives.

Armed with just the mid-level exception, the Warriors don’t stand a chance to even make a small ripple in this market – which saw Darko Milicic, arguably one of the biggest disappointments in draft history, get four years for $20 million from Minnesota, and the Raptors re-sign Amir Johnson (who has never averaged more than 18 minutes per game) for five years, $34 million. Golden State was hoping to find someone at a bargain, someone like Miller for $3 to $4 million a year. But the first full day of free agency has forced them to take a step back, wait until Bloomingdales has a sale.

The Warriors have been mentioned in a couple of trade rumors.

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