Even though injuries have limited his availability in Phoenix, his story is inspiring.
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When Phoenix Suns fans hear Damion Lee, they think of the 2022 season. Unfortunately, Damion Lee’s experience has been one wild ride for Suns fans. Lee first signed with the team in the summer of 2022. They agreed to a one-year $2 million deal in which both sides got something they sought after. Lee was looking for an expanded role on a competing team.
The season prior, he had just won the NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors. The Suns were looking for more championship-experienced players on the wings. The Suns wanted to stay competing in the West after their disappointing collapse to the Dallas Mavericks the year prior. Following the previous year, expectations were high in Phoenix for Lee.
Lee’s Introduction to Phoenix
In Lee’s first season with the team, he provided exactly what the Suns required. In the season debut, he came up huge for the Suns, tallying 11 points alongside 2 rebounds and assists, while also sinking the game-winner.
Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images
Damion also notched his career high in points this season while coming off the bench. In that unfortunate loss, he totaled 31 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Sadly for the Suns, this team (and like ours now) was plagued with injuries, and the season ended once again short of the finals.
Lee was then resigned to a two-year deal, including a player option in the 2024 summer. He was once again expected to be one of the more impactful pieces off the bench. Sadly, he has yet to get back out to play for him and the Suns due to injuries.
Injuries…
Lee suffered a right meniscus injury last summer in training camp that required surgery. This kept him out all last year, which was frustrating for both parties involved. The Suns were a limited team, who could only make veteran minimum signings due to the trade for Bradley Beal and being a second-apron team. Lee was supposed to be one of those x-factors off the bench to help the second unit.
Per Suns PR,
Damion Lee has sustained a right meniscus injury & will be out until further notice pic.twitter.com/yhgCLLvcZt
— Stephen | bsky: StephenPG3 (@StephenPG3) October 1, 2023
Flash forward to this offseason, and the story continues. Lee declined his player option for $2.85 million but then resigned on a one-year $2 million deal. This helped the Suns save some money (even if very little) and gave Lee another chance to bounce back this year. Lee then also revealed his injury was much more serious than we knew. He stated that the meniscus tear he suffered turned into a double root tear. This led to him having an extended rehabilitation period. Furthermore, this made Lee seek therapy as he suffered from depression while recovering.
The Sad Result
Luckily, Lee has yet to suffer any injuries this year but sadly has fallen out of the Suns’ rotation. The Suns bench is deep already with players like Grayson Allen and Josh Okogie. With new additions in Tyus Jones and Monte Morris, it has made it additionally hard for Lee to crack many minutes, only suiting up in four games this year. He has played a combined 38 minutes this year. He was gifted 11 & 18 minutes in two of those games, respectfully. With the Suns trying to compete in a stacked west, Lee is not needed compared to previous years.
This is ultimately sad to realize as fans but we must know its the name of the business. For Damion Lee, he may not be shining in Phoenix this year, but they’re fans who won’t remember him for that. Those fans will remember that off-balance game winner vs Dallas or the eruption off the bench, and that’s what it is all about: memories.