Blue Man Hoop
Fansided

Ranking 5 former players the Golden State Warriors will miss this season

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 18: Spencer Dinwiddie #26 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball against Otto Porter Jr. #32 and Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter in Game One of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals at Chase Center on May 18, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 18: Spencer Dinwiddie #26 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball against Otto Porter Jr. #32 and Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter in Game One of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals at Chase Center on May 18, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Stephen Curry and Damion Lee of the Golden State Warriors celebrate after defeating the Boston Celtics 103-90 in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Stephen Curry and Damion Lee of the Golden State Warriors celebrate after defeating the Boston Celtics 103-90 in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

4. Damion Lee

While Damion Lee was often and unfairly referred to as simply Stephen Curry’s brother-in-law, the fact is that the 30-year-old played 20 minutes per game in what resulted as a championship-winning season.

That’s no mean feat for anyone, let alone someone like Lee who had to do it the hard way after going undrafted in 2016. He was a consistent part of Steve Kerr’s rotation for two seasons, and played an even bigger role during the Warriors’ disastrous 2019-20 campaign.

The 6’5″ wing would average 7.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 2021-22, shooting 33.7% from three-point range. While he had little impact during Golden State’s 2022 playoff run, some of his performances with the Phoenix Suns last season were quite remarkable.

Lee would average 20.4 minutes under Monty Williams, averaging 8.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. He surprisingly turned into one of the most reliable three-point shooters in the league, nailing 44.5% of his attempts from beyond the arc last season.

The Warriors could have done with Lee at times in 2022-23, and they could do with him again based on their plans for the 14th roster spot. The franchise has been open about their desire to add an extra wing, with Lee presenting as a suitable candidate were he available.

If you compare him with those currently on training camp deals fighting for the position, he’d be by far the best option. Alas, Lee is back with the Suns where he’ll compete against the Warriors alongside the likes of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.

Home/Warriors History