Tumultuous Journey for Damion Lee Pays off With New NBA Contract

Damion Lee has a new home in the NBA, and after years of adversity he could be ready to contribute on a championship team.

Just like Damion Lee, a former beloved Cardinal, is an NBA Champion. Okay, so not exactly, but it was officially announced yesterday that Damion Lee was signed to a two-way contract by the future 2019 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors. (Why even play the season?)

After a short but successful stint with the Atlanta Hawks at the end of the 2017-18 NBA season, the Golden State Warriors saw enough to sign Lee to a one year, two-way contract. We’ll get into the specifics of a two-way contract momentarily, but for now it’s time to embrace what shall soon be known as “LEEsanity” in Golden State.

The Warriors are bringing in a player who got a chance last season to prove what he could do in the league for the first time, and a guy who has an incredible story to tell. He’s also the soon to be brother-in-law of 2x NBA MVP Steph Curry, who’s sister Sydel, is set to be married to Lee in a few months.

We know about the Louisville self-ban that left Damion Lee and running mate Trey Lewis with no chance of making the NCAA tournament in their only year on campus. We know about the multitude of injuries that have hampered Lee, including a torn ACL, a broken hand, and countless ankle sprains and other nagging aches and pains. But what do we know about Damion Lee as an NBA player? Honestly, probably not much.

During his two years in the NBA G-League, where Lee went after being released by the Boston Celtics  post training camp/preseason, Lee was one of the better players on the floor when he got there. As a member of the Maine Red Claws, Lee averaged 17.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game while playing and starting in 16 games. He shot 47% from the field, and an even more impressive 46% from deep (led the NBA G-League).

After being traded across the country to the Santa Cruz Warriors, Lee emerged as one of the best all-around players in the entire league. He averaged 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists per game, before getting the call he dreamed of his entire life from the Atlanta Hawks on a non-guaranteed 10 day contract.

Lee described his experience of putting an NBA jersey on for the first time in the Players Tribune.

"“Coach Bud called my name for the first time in the second quarter. I’m finally checked into my first NBA game. And I was healthy. As soon as I stepped onto the court all my nervousness was gone. I had arrived, and I was going to enjoy every second of it.”"

During a short stint at the end of the season with the Hawks, Lee would put up double figure scoring, shooting 40% from the field, 58% from mid range. He showed what we already knew as Louisville fans, he belonged. Lee scored in double figures nine times, even putting up a career high 20 points in a loss against the Sixers. While the Hawks continued to struggle, Lee was a bright spot for a team headed to the lottery. They would go on to sign him to a deal for the rest of the year, giving him a chance to show the other 29 teams what he could do.

The Hawks chose not to re-sign Lee, instead electing to use their free roster spots on rookies and keeping others open for future deals that might pop up down the road. In came the Golden State Warriors, a team looking to re-tool a roster after winning their second consecutive championship.

“As soon as I stepped onto the court all my nervousness was gone. I had arrived, and I was going to enjoy every second of it.”

While Lee signed a deal with the Warriors, it’s not your traditional NBA contract. This deal, called a “two-way” contract, is a relatively new feature in the NBA/G-League that allows players to spend time with both organizations.

"NBA teams may have up to two players under NBA Two-Way Contracts who will spend the bulk of the season in the NBA G League and not more than 45 days with their NBA team. Two-Way players are paid a corresponding daily amount based on the number of days they play in each league. Only players in their fourth NBA season or earlier are able to sign Two-Way Contracts, which can be for either one or two seasons."

Lee will likely play a reserve role for the Warriors, but depending on what they do this summer and how he performs in the preseason and training camp, he could end up being a role player for the team much like Quinn Cook last season.

The Warriors are getting one of the best people in the entirety of sports who will bring a hunger and desire to win, fitting in with the multi-time champion veterans in the process. When you look at the players who have come through this University and done their part in building and growing the culture, Lee is one you’ll never forget. His dedication, and desire to do things the right way helped to keep the program afloat during it’s hardest times.

Now Lee will get the chance to compete for the championship at it’s highest level, an honor he undoubtedly has earned and deserves.

Next: Former Louisville Players Want Their Banner Back