A late bloomer, Lee’s bet with Warriors paying off with his first NBA contract
SAN FRANCISCO >> Growing up in Baltimore, Damion Lee considered himself a big man, much to his mother’s disapproval. She encouraged him to play guard, telling him he wouldn’t be tall enough to be the next Kevin Garnett.
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As a preteen, he relented and changed positions.
“I was a late bloomer starting the game anyway,” Lee said. “Probably should have listened to my mom more when I was younger.”
At 27, Lee is the secondoldest player in the NBA on a two-way contract, though that will change soon. After waiving Marquese Chriss on Monday night, the Warriors are working on a contract that will promote Lee to the 15-man roster. Playing the best basketball of his three-year career, Lee is only just realizing his potential at an age most players are in their prime.
Lee had his last two years at Drexel derailed by season-ending injuries to his ACL and right hand before going undrafted in 2016. Various stints in the G League led to his first twoway contract with the Warriors last season.
Last summer, Lee could have left Golden State and signed a contract elsewhere
or made more money overseas. Instead, he signed his second two-way contract, betting that he could turn that into a more stable NBA deal. His shooting, rebounding and basketball feel helped him emerge as the team’s starting shooting guard and a long-term piece.
“My mom always taught me, no matter what happens in this world, know who you are, know yourself, and know your worth,” Lee said.
Averaging 12.3 points per game and shooting 36.8% from 3-point range, Lee is first among twoway contract players in total points scored (296), 3-pointers made (32) and rebounds (127). Only Ky Bowman, the other Warrior on a two-way contract, has more minutes played and more assists.
This week, Lee will join a list of former two-way players who earned standard NBA contracts that includes former Warriors guard Quinn Cook, Lakers guard Alex Caruso and Heat forward Duncan Robinson. Lee’s complicated path to a spot on an NBA roster is something he talks about with pride.
“He came back on a twoway deal, almost kind of like a prove-it deal,” Warriors teammate Draymond Green said. “He thought he was an NBA player and he bet on himself and he showed that he is.”
In the midst of a losing season exacerbated by Stephen Curry’s broken left hand, the Warriors’ goal is to find players like Lee who can contribute when Curry and Klay Thompson (left ACL surgery) are healthy next season.
While Lee is grateful for the opportunity his new contract will provide, there will be greater expectations once he occupies a regular roster spot. That could factor into the Warriors’ thinking this summer, when they decide who will play a part of next season’s team.
“It’s just a matter of when you get it and what you do with it,” Lee said “It just doesn’t stop at one two-way contract, one NBA contract.”
• Point guard D’Angelo Russell (bruised right shoulder) missed his fifth straight game Wednesday.
Center Kevon Looney (left abdominal soreness) missed his eighth straight game.
• Coach Steve Kerr was fined $25,000 for berating the officials after being ejected in Monday’s loss to the Kings.