A productive player on a manageable deal for the New York Knicks, Courtney Lee’s value could have him on the trading block as the season wears on.

New York Knicks guard Courtney Lee has always seemed to be a sought out commodity on the trading block.

As a good outside shooter and a tough-nosed defender, Lee’s skillset is something no team ever has enough of, an explanation for a career spanning 10 years and seven different franchises.

Now, with two years and roughly $23 million left on his deal, it’s likely that Lee’s name will pop up in trade rumors once again, with the New York Knicks hoping to get a nice return for his services.

New York actually made Lee available in trade talks just this past June, a signal that he is by no means untouchable. His absence from a promotional picture also sparked some speculation.

Since his arrival in the summer of 2016, Lee has become a favorite in the locker room and one of the teams more productive players, but at 32 years of age, his timeline doesn’t sync with when the Knicks will likely be competing down the road. He’d be much better off on a team playing for something right now.

From the Knicks perspective, trading Lee would not only bring back possible valuable assets — a first round etc — but it would shed approximately $12 million off their salary cap in each of the next two seasons depending on who they get in return.

Given how the team has apparently set themselves up to make a run at some top-level free agents in the summer of 2019, some extra cash to spend certainly wouldn’t hurt at the negotiating table.

.@ColinCowherd: A lot of people are saying, Kyrie's interested [in joining the Knicks].@Enes_Kanter: Yes he is and not just him. Jimmy Butler and you know what, why not Kevin Durant? pic.twitter.com/9jFUuUlImV — Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) July 23, 2018

It’s a shame someone as well-liked and consistent as Lee would be one of the first to go in a trade scenario, especially when considering he is one of the few throughout Knicks history to sign a realistic contract and play up to it.

However, New York’s direction has changed since Lee came to town. Considering his value to a possible playoff contender, it would be silly for the Knicks not to try and pry some assets away from buyers.