Suns Notes: Lee, Dunn, Roddy, Morris

After re-signing with the Suns last week, Damion Lee is focused on being ready for training camp. In an interview Saturday night with ESPN’s Cassidy Hubbarth, Lee said he’s mostly recovered from the meniscus tear in his right knee that forced him to miss all of last season (Twitter video link from Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports).

“Feeling good, that’s the main focus that I tell everyone,” Lee said. “Mentally I’m in a better spot; physically I’m in a better spot. I’m about 85%, and basically now that’s just transitioning into the contact, live action and all that kind of stuff. On the mend, on the way and should be full go for training camp.”

Lee was a valuable rotation member for Phoenix during the 2022/23 season, averaging 8.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 74 games while logging 20.4 minutes per night. He agreed to a one-year veteran’s minimum contract after declining his $2.85MM player option, and his return should be a welcome boost for a team that lost Eric Gordon in free agency.

There’s more on the Suns:

• First-round pick Ryan Dunn had to overcome some nerves in his Summer League debut, Bourguet adds in another Twitter video. The defensive specialist out of Virginia finished with six points, four rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocks in his first taste of NBA action. “The first half, my heart was pounding, jitters, you saw I was slipping the ball, turnovers, but I think I slowed down a little bit in the second half, took some shots I needed to take,” Dunn said. “Defensively, I think I did pretty well, holding my own. The big thing for me is finding the positives. Don’t try to be hard on yourself, just be positive in everything I can do, work on whatever I can these next couple of games.”
• David Roddy spent more time handling the ball and initiating the offense in Saturday’s game. He talked about his new duties in a video posted by Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. “I think I can add it to my game,” Roddy told reporters. “I want to learn and get better at it every day, just get the reps up. That’s why I’m here at Summer League, to get those reps.”
• Head coach Mike Budenholzer is thrilled about the addition of Monte Morris, who signed with Phoenix in free agency (video link from Rankin). The Suns operated without a traditional point guard last season, so Morris could see a lot of playing time. “I think Monte’s going to fit really well with us,” Budenholzer said. “He’s somebody that we targeted in free agency. We feel great about getting him, what he brings. Being able to play with (the ball), without it, his shooting, his play-making, he’s just a good NBA player that we’re excited about adding.”