PHOENIX — All four Phoenix Suns players who had player options for next season are now opting out, as Damion Lee is reportedly declining his, despite previous reports he would opt in.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reports, “Phoenix Suns guard Damion Lee is declining his $2.85 million player option and will enter unrestricted free agency, league sources told
@hoopshype.”
Phoenix Suns guard Damion Lee is declining his $2.85 million player option and will enter unrestricted free agency, league sources told @hoopshype. pic.twitter.com/Ui4PyiXrym
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 29, 2024
The Suns signed multiple players to veteran-minimum deals last summer with a player option for the second season. Lee, Eric Gordon, Drew Eubanks and Josh Okogie were the four left on the roster ahead of today’s deadline to decide on the option.
With all four opting out, the hope is that Lee and Okogie will re-sign with Phoenix for “slightly above the vet minimum,” according to PHNX‘s Gerald Boruguet.
Per a source, the expectation is that Damion Lee stays with the Suns. Similar to Josh Okogie, he can re-sign for slightly above the vet minimum after opting out https://t.co/r5F0P4Fbtj
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) June 29, 2024
After being one of the best 3-point shooters in the entire NBA in the 2022-23 season, Lee, who won the 2022 NBA Finals with the Golden State Warriors, opted to return to the Suns last summer.
The 6-foot-5 guard was looking to build off his first season in Phoenix in which he averaged 8.2 points on 44.5% shooting from 3 and 3.0 rebounds across 74 games.
However, that all came to a halt on Oct. 11, 2023, only a few weeks before the start of the season, when it was announced Lee would be undergoing right meniscus surgery. He did not end up playing in a single game last season after the surgery.
If Lee is to return, he would re-join a Suns team top-heavy with guards under contract for next season, most notably including Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and Grayson Allen. However, with Gordon opting out, Lee could have a prominent role off the bench if he stays, depending who the Suns add when free agency begins tomorrow.
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
