3 Golden State Warriors likely to regress the most from last season
Golden State Warriors’ player likely to regress: Damion Lee
If Jordan Poole gets the minutes, when Klay Thompson returns, Damion Lee may struggle to find a spot in the rotation. Prior to being out for health and safety protocols at the end of last season, Lee was having a career season.
While he thrived with no Curry or Thompson during the 15-win, Covid-19-stricken season, Lee continued to play well even with the Warriors’ return to competence. The 6-foot-5 guard neared 40 percent from deep last season.
He also averaged a career-high 46.7 percent from the field. It was ultimately a good season for Lee, but the explosion off Poole tag-teamed with Thompson’s return could hurt the minutes of both Lee and Mychal Mulder.
It’d be shocking to see Lee, if Poole plays well, in the rotation late in the season. He almost topped 19 minutes per game last season.
If that repeats itself with the Dubs healthy, I’d be shocked. It also doesn’t help that he struggles defensively, making it tough to consider running the trio of guards upon the return of Thompson.
Lee still has potential to thrive as a shooter which could easily buy him minutes, and having hit game-winning shots last season, he should have some favor with the coaching staff. Nonetheless, if he tops last season’s averages in any category, I’d be shocked.