Warriors’ Lee bit off less than he can chew to earn roster spot
When he swallowed his pride and signed his second two-way contract last summer, Damion Lee learned to eat his vegetables.
Lee revamped his workout routine and his diet in order to get into the best condition of his NBA career, after years of injury setbacks hurt his chances of earning a guaranteed contract. The changes Lee made last summer helped him emerge as a starter for the Warriors and earn his long-sought spot on a 15man roster.
Buried on the depth chart under a two-way contract for most of last season, Lee met with Golden State’s trainers in June seeking to make changes, and they helped him put together a plan for the offseason.
The first things to go were the french fries.
Curly fries, sweet potato fries, any kind of fries — they’re all delicious to Lee. He swapped them out for cauliflower, which debuted in his diet only last summer. Most of his meals were made up of sautéed vegetables paired with salmon or grilled chicken.
For four months, he cut out carbohydrates almost completely. No bread, pancakes, rice, pasta or — of course — french fries.
He took two weeks off after the Finals and, in July, started lifting six days a week. His body fat percentage dipped to 7, the lowest since college. As the summer went on, Lee started to notice a difference in his body.
“I started to feel better — more endurance, just able to do more,” Lee said.
Lee, 27, didn’t expect a lucrative offer last summer but, when Philadelphia and Denver called with only non-guaranteed contracts, he prioritized his familiarity with the Warriors.
With Klay Thompson expected to miss the season after ACL surgery, Lee saw an opportunity for playing time and re-signed, becoming the league’s secondoldest player on a two-way contract.
“I wasn’t thinking coming off of last year I was going to get something guaranteed,” said Lee, who played just 375 minutes last season. “I still had to prove myself in a lot of different areas. It was a decision that was made knowing the system, knowing the coaching staff and going to a place I was comfortable.”
His injury history is part of the reason Lee considers himself a late bloomer. Lee’s last two years at Drexel were derailed by season-ending injuries to his ACL and right hand before he went undrafted in 2016.
Various stints in the G League led to his first twoway contract with the Warriors last season. But a lingering plantar fascia issue and wedding weight after his marriage to Sydel Curry led to his body-fat percentage soaring to a point Lee is embarrassed even now to admit.
His summer workout plan was designed to ease the pressure on his joints while maintaining muscle mass to prevent injury.
Lee finally feels he’s rediscovered the conditioning he had when was averaged 15.9 points per game as a senior transfer at Louisville, though a fractured right hand sidelined him for 14 games this season.
“Since then, this is the best I’ve felt.”
Lee’s deal will be converted to a standard contract as the Warriors promote him to the 15-man roster, having used up all 45 days of his two-way contract. His shooting, rebounding and basketball IQ helped him emerge as the team’s starting shooting guard and a long-term piece.
“Most guys don’t know plays at other positions, but he does,” coach Steve Kerr said. “Ideally, he’s a 2 and he’s on the perimeter and he’s getting his 3-point shot and he’s attacking or drawing fouls. He’s done a good job of that for us.”
In 26 games, Lee is averaging 12.3 points on 40.7% shooting (36% from 3-point range), 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 26.8 minutes per game. He makes a point to lift every other day and works with the training staff to undergo pre-game and postgame maintenance work, including ice baths and massages.
While those things are standard for NBA players, Lee feels now that he can identify issues before they develop into nagging injuries.
“Just being aware of my body,” Lee said. “That’s what’s allowed me to be on the court for longer stretches of time.”
Improved conditioning has expanded his game. In Golden State’s Christmas Day win over the Rockets, Lee, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, pulled down 15 rebounds, his third doubledigit rebound game this season. Teammates joke that he’s really a big man in a little man’s body. He is averaging 31.5 minutes per game after earning the starting job.
By promoting Lee, the Warriors have made it clear they view him as someone who can help them win a championship. Lee is a success story in a losing season geared toward development.
“He’s had to bounce around and fight for everything,” Kerr said. “It’s great to see him play so well and really solidify his future.”