The Celtics have had David Lee in their sites for quite sometime, or at the very least, several times over the last few years before signing him in the 2015 offseason.
When Lee was last a free agent in 2010, the Celtics made an offer limited by cap space and ultimately Lee signed a lucrative offer with Golden State. He was under no illusions that they were instantly going to contend for a title.
In his first year with the team, Golden State went 36-46 which was right in line with the recent past of the team.