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MEMPHIS – In a little less than a week, Damion Lee will chart out a goal he hoped to accomplish this season with the Golden State Warriors.
The goal: play well enough that an NBA team has no choice but to keep him on its roster.
“I have to keep proving myself and trying to get better,” said Lee, citing his defense and strength. “I’ll continue to try to grind and show that I belong here.”
The Warriors already believe that Lee does. Warriors coach Steve Kerr argued that Lee “belongs in the NBA” after he spent this season on a two-way contract both excelling with the Warriors and their G-League team in Santa Cruz.
Lee averaged 4.8 points while shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 40.6 percent from 3 in 11.4 minutes through 31 games with the Warriors. With Santa Cruz, Lee averaged 20.3 points on a 47.3 percent clip from the field and a 39.9 percent mark from deep in 31.5 minutes through 24 appearances.
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The Warriors (57-24) will grant Lee more playing time in their regular-season finale against the Memphis Grizzlies (32-49) on Wednesday since they plan to rest most, if not all, of their All-Stars. With Kevin Durant (flu) and Klay Thompson (left knee) out in Tuesdays’ win over New Orleans, Lee had 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting and seven rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench.
Yet, Lee will not be on the team’s playoff roster since the Warriors have a maximum 15 players. They filled their final spot last month for veteran Andrew Bogut as an insurance policy for DeMarcus Cousins and the team’s young centers in Kevon Looney and Jordan Bell. The Warriors also do not plan to waive any players to make room for Lee. One, Kerr said the Warriors feel comfortable with their roster as is since they have the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. Two, the Warriors would not want to absorb additional financial costs to a payroll already at $319 million.
“Knowing that I’m on a two way, I understood if I get converted, then I’ll [play]. If they pick up someone, then I won’t,” Lee said. “So I’m just picking up all of this knowledge and experience and hopefully trying to make a deep playoff push. It’s something I can cherish forever. This pedestal allowed me to showcase myself at an NBA level.”
The Warriors signed Lee to a two-way contract after the undrafted guard also played for Santa Cruz last season. He offered a more lasting impression than just being the brother-in-law of Stephen Curry. Lee remained healthy after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament twice in a three-year span. He also impressed the Warriors with his shooting, aggressiveness and work ethic. As Kerr said “he’s done a hell of a job.”
The Warriors may have considered Bogut’s signing as a bigger priority to shore up their center spot instead of bolstering their wing position. Yet, the Warriors could sign Lee this offseason if another team does not already. After all, Kerr envisions Lee having an NBA future.
“If he believes that, I believe it deep down inside,” said Lee, who praised Kerr’s insight as a former NBA player, former executive and current head coach. “It doesn’t make it any easier. It actually makes it harder. I have to keep proving myself and trying to get better.”
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