The Phoenix Suns might have failed to live up to expectations last season, but they were actually missing one player for the entire campaign. Damion Lee - who sat out with a knee injury - not even making it to the franchise's previous media day ahead of the 2023-24 season.
It would be a massive stretch to say that he alone could have changed the outcome of the Suns' season. They probably wouldn't even have won any more than the 49 victories they did manage to pile up under previous head coach Frank Vogel. Yet prior to going down, he was shooting a scorching 44.5 percent from 3-point range. That's nearly in Grayson Allen's territory.
The latest on Lee now is most certainly good news.
On the opening day of practice after a memorable media day for the organization, head coach Mike Budenholzer revealed that Lee had participated fully with the team. "Damion was a full participant, I think we were keeping an eye on him and if needed prepared to pull him, just monitor his progress. Unless I missed it, he was a full go."
Budenholzer was answering the question of the always insightful Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic, and it is more good news for the team ahead of the new season. The fact he didn't have to be forced to sit on what was surely a hard first day getting after it for the group is a good problem for the coaching staff to have.
It is unclear if Lee will even crack the second unit on a consistent basis to start the season - but as we've already broken down - there's actually reason to be optimistic about what he can bring to this roster. He's certainly not a traditional point guard - the team now have Tyus Jones and Monte Morris for this - but he can handle the ball some and can certainly shoot it.
Damion Lee said he'll be ready to go practice wise tomorrow.
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) September 30, 2024
Talked about the surgeries, the depression, seeing a therapist and how he's overcome odds to be ready to play after missing all last season with a knee injury. #Suns pic.twitter.com/3Q4LswnS5Y
With the introduction of Jones to the starting lineup, Lee returns at an important time. He's not known for his defensive skills, but is a bridge between Jones and Morris as floor generals and Devin Booker and Bradley Beal as scoring guards, although it is fair to say he falls more easily into the latter group.
He obviously won't be on a minutes restriction to start the campaign, but one way he could be eased back into action is by spending some time with the Suns' G League affiliate. He's unlikely to be traded either - he's in the final year of a two-year, minimum contract - but some solid play could see another team look to him as a rental.
No matter what way you look at this though, this is exactly the way the front office will have wanted coach Budenholzer to begin his tenure. A clean bill of health for everybody, and a chance for Lee to show him what he can do. He never played under coach Vogel - and is a holdover to an era that's already over - so it will be interesting to see what that means this season.