Golden State Warriors player who has disappointed in playoffs: Damion Lee
The easiest player to put on this list has sadly been Damion Lee. A staple of the Warriors rotation over the last two seasons during the team’s struggles, Lee was given a chance in the playoffs and just didn’t play up to par.
Gary Payton II has now been eating up all of Lee’s minutes and will continue to. Lee has played just 5 minutes in the NBA Finals. He’s averaged 8.6 minutes per game in the playoffs yet is scoring just 2.3 points per game and shooting 40.6% from the field.
Lee, who hit his career-best 12.7 points per game in 49 appearances with the 15-win Warriors two seasons ago, could’ve likely signed elsewhere this offseason had he shown he was a key contributor in the rotation.
That hasn’t been the case as his numbers, especially his efficiency, have waned. Given he already didn’t provide much on the defensive end, Payton II’s more defensive-first mindset was more fitting for a playoff rotation.
Lee, 29, will have the chance to go elsewhere, but given his ties to the organization, it’s also unlikely he leaves this offseason.