Golden State Warriors may ask a lot of Damion Lee to start season

It’s been a good, not great, offseason for the Golden State Warriors.

They were able to add veterans and prospects. While it was good to see them bringing back players like Andre Iguodala and then also adding sharpshooter Otto Porter Jr., they didn’t trade for a third star that could come back to bite them.

The Golden State Warriors will be without Klay Thompson for the first couple of months, and that could open up a huge opportunity for Damion Lee.

In staying put in regards to the active trade market, the Warriors will be relying on many players from last season, especially with Thompson out. The three-time All-Star is expected to return on Christmas Day.

They are going to need a player to step up, and there doesn’t appear to be anyone more equip for that job than Damion Lee.

Lee was out at the tail end of last season due to Covid-19 health and safety protocols, so fans didn’t really get a good glimpse of how he could contribute to the team over the last few weeks of the season.

Mychal Mulder was inserted into the lineup and Jordan Poole was given a larger role. Needing a starting two with Thompson out, Lee should be the player that head coach Steve Kerr first looks at giving the opportunity.

At 6-foot-5, Lee has better size than the two, and he’s, like Mulder and Poole, has made a name for himself with his shooting.

The 28-year-old averaged 6.5 points per game, shooting a career-high 46.7 percent from the field. Lee also matched his career-high 39.7 percent from deep, knocking down 1.4 threes per game. It was a solid season for the veteran despite his lack of statistical improvements.

Those declines were expected as the Warriors were set to return to playoff contention following that sad 15-win season. Golden State should again look to be among the better teams in the Western Conference.

Lee will be an instrumental part of that, especially early on in the season. While his playing time dipped under 20 minutes per game, with no Kelly Oubre Jr., it should easily get back to above that threshold.

With Poole having started off both his rookie and second season with inconsistent shooting, Lee may get asked to play in late-game situations as well. Lee will have some big-time opportunities, as he did earlier this past season.

The Warriors will need Lee to step up in a big way if they want a contending record for Thompson to return to.