Suns shooting guard Damion Lee has declined his $2.8MM player option with Phoenix and will become an unrestricted free agent, sources inform Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).
The 6’5″ swingman missed the entire 2023/24 NBA season after suffering a meniscus tear in his right knee, which ultimately required surgery.
Lee initially signed a one-season, minimum contract to join the Suns in the summer of 2022. He then inked a one-and-one contract with Phoenix last summer. During his lone healthy season with the Suns, Lee averaged 8.2 PPG on a .442/.445/.904 shooting line, along with 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists across 74 healthy contests.
After going undrafted in 2016, the Louisville alum began his NBA career with the Hawks in 2017/18, but he has spent most of his time in the league with the Warriors, with whom he won a championship as a floor-spacing backup in 2021/22. He was reunited with one-time Golden State teammate Kevin Durant in Phoenix when the latter was traded there from the Nets in 2022/23.
According to Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports (Twitter link), a new deal with the Suns is a possibility for Lee, who would be eligible to sign for more than the veteran’s minimum since Phoenix holds his Early Bird rights.
Now this is RISKY, coming from a low level player coming off a season ending injury. He may find himself back in the G League.
He’s looking for another one plus one.
To play where though? Even Buddy Hield will only be an option for like 3 teams. Hield at least can drop 20ppg.