Damion

Lee

After missing all of last season, Lee will be back with the Suns despite declining his player option a few days ago. During the 2022-23 season, he averaged 8.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 triples in 20.4 minutes per game. He should play a role off the bench, but he isn’t a player that will make much of an impact in fantasy basketball.

Lee missed all of last season with a meniscus tear and will look to pursue a new deal after taking all of 2023-24 to recover from surgery. He averaged 8.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game in his lone full season with Phoenix.

Lee, who has yet to appear in a game this season after tearing the meniscus in his right knee before training camp, recently ditched the crutches. Suns coach Frank Vogel said Friday evening that the team hopes to get Lee back before the end of the regular season. Given the amount of time he’s due to miss, this will not impact fantasy basketball or the Suns’ current rotation.

Both players have yet to play during the preseason and will remain out for the preseason finale. Their status for opening night is unclear, but their absences shouldn’t impact fantasy hoops.

Lee suffered the injury just before the start of training camp, but the severity was not made public. Wednesday’s update revealed that he suffered a full tear and remains out indefinitely. Lee’s absence won’t significantly impact fantasy basketball, as he was likely going to be behind reserve wings such as Grayson Allen and Nassir Little, even if he were healthy enough to play.

All three players missed Phoenix’s first preseason game against Detroit, so this isn’t a surprise. Lee is out indefinitely with his knee injury, but Goodwin and Wainright should be seen as day-to-day.

While it’s been reported that Lee suffered a meniscus injury, there was no word on the severity. Consider the veteran guard, who was in a position to provide the Suns with additional depth, to be out indefinitely. Lee wasn’t a great fantasy option last season, and that was likely to be the case this season regardless of his health. The newly acquired Grayson Allen and Nassir Little are two of the many wing players who will compete for rotation minutes when training camp opens on Monday.

The second year of the deal is a player option. Lee gives the Suns additional depth on the wing, but it’s unlikely that he’ll get the minutes needed to be an asset in fantasy leagues.

Craig is listed as probable on the initial injury report, and this bodes well for his availability Tuesday, with this being the second game in as many nights for the Suns. Should something change, and he can’t play, Terrence Ross may be the biggest winner from a fantasy standpoint, even if he remains with the bench unit. Damion Lee and Ishmail Wainright would likely see their minutes increase.

Shamet last appeared in a game on January 16, but there’s still no timeline for a potential return. With Kevin Durant still out and Cam Payne (right foot sprain) questionable Friday, expect Damion Lee, Ish Wainright and Josh Okogie to step up and enjoy some extra playing time.