The Phoenix Suns did not have a good 2023-24 campaign. The up-and-down regular season being bad, but the sweep at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the opening round of the playoffs so much worse. It was so bad in fact, that owner Mat Ishbia felt the need to hold an end of season press conference to assure everybody that there was no need to panic.
Already we know there are going to be wholesale changes to this roster ahead of next season, although the smart money right now would be on Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal returning for another season. As for head coach Frank Vogel? That remains to be seen.
As well as their top three players though, there are four more individuals who - for better or worse - are sure to be back for another year with the team.
Already we've examined seven other players outside their "Big 3" who most certainly will not be back next season, and fans are going to be thankful to see the back of most of these guys. If you think this franchise is going to have a completely new deck of role players to work with though, you may have to think again.
4. Damion Lee
Suns fans won't even mind seeing Damion Lee appear here, because he will feel like a new signing whenever he does suit up for the organization. Lee underwent meniscus surgery and missed the whole season, although he was travelling with the group by the end of the regular season.
Guard for the @Suns Damion Lee is getting shots up. Lee has missed the season with a meniscus injury with still no time table on a return. @sportscronkite pic.twitter.com/vHIyIVHjw9
— Mason Byers (@Mason_Byers5) April 25, 2024
Had he been healthy he wouldn't have changed the outlook of the Suns' season, and at 31-years-old he's probably not going to get any better either. Lee would have been a nice option to insert into the rotation both when Beal was injured himself, and before Royce O'Neale joined at the trade deadline.
He has a player option on his contract for 2024-25 - and at less than $3 million - it is a number that the Suns can afford to absorb. Even if they are in salary cap hell right now with no way of getting out of it outside of entertaining the idea of trading Booker. Lee hasn't had a chance to put himself in the shop window though, so you can bet he picks up that option before considering his options next year.