Key Takeaways
- Damion Lee announced his NBA retirement on May 12 via an emotional Instagram post, thanking coaches, teammates, family, and fans for a 15‑year basketball journey.
- Over seven NBA seasons (2017‑18 to 2024‑25) he played 315 games for the Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors, and Phoenix Suns, averaging 7.8 points, 1.3 assists, and 0.6 steals per contest.
- Lee’s career‑high season came in 2019‑20 with the Warriors, when he started 36 of 49 games and posted 12.7 points and 2.7 assists per game.
- He contributed to the Warriors’ 2022 championship run, appearing in four Finals games off the bench and scoring nine points.
- After signing a $2.1 million deal with the Phoenix Suns in 2022, Lee led the league in three‑point percentage (.445) during the 2022‑23 season before missing the 2023‑24 campaign to rehab a rare double posterior root meniscus repair.
- Off the court, Lee is married to Sydel Curry (daughter of former NBA guard Dell Curry) and is brother‑in‑law to Stephen and Seth Curry; he frequently cited his family as his primary motivation throughout his career.
Damion Lee’s retirement marks the close of a resilient and versatile NBA career that spanned seven seasons, three franchises, and a championship ring. The guard‑forward announced his decision on May 12 through an Instagram post that read like a heartfelt farewell letter. He expressed gratitude to every coach, teammate, athletic trainer, and staff member he had encountered, noting that he hoped his presence had made a positive impact on their lives just as they had shaped his own. Lee described basketball as “everything” to him, a passion that drove him to push his body to its limits for the past fifteen years—a period that, he wrote, had now reached its natural conclusion.
Lee’s professional path began long before his NBA debut. After a standout high school career in Baltimore, Maryland, he played two seasons at Drexel University before transferring to the University of Louisville for his final collegiate year. At Louisville, he earned All‑ACC Second Team honors in 2015‑16, showcasing the shooting and defensive versatility that would later earn him a spot in the NBA G League. In the 2016‑17 season, Lee suited up for the Maine Red Claws, the Warriors’ affiliate, where he refined his craft and caught the eye of Golden State’s scouting department.
The Warriors gave Lee his first NBA opportunity in 2018, signing him to a two‑way contract that quickly evolved into a standard deal. Over his four‑year stint in Oakland (later San Francisco), he became known for his floor spacing, timely three‑point shooting, and willingness to defend multiple positions. The 2019‑20 season represented the peak of his production with Golden State: starting 36 of 49 games, he averaged 12.7 points and 2.7 assists while shooting 38 percent from beyond the arc. Though injuries limited his availability in subsequent seasons, Lee remained a valuable rotational piece, providing veteran leadership and a reliable spot‑up threat.
Lee’s most memorable team achievement arrived in the 2022 NBA Finals. Though he did not start, he appeared in four games off the bench against the Boston Celtics, contributing nine points and providing crucial spacing that helped the Warriors secure their fourth championship in eight years. The ring cemented his place in franchise history and gave him a tangible reward for the perseverance he had shown throughout his career.
A month after the Finals victory, Lee signed a $2.1 million contract with the Phoenix Suns for the 2022‑23 season. In Phoenix, he enjoyed a statistical renaissance, leading the NBA in three‑point percentage at a remarkable .445 while averaging 8.4 points per game. His shooting prowess made him a valuable asset alongside Devin Booker and Chris Paul, and he quickly became a fan favorite for his clutch perimeter shooting. However, the 2023‑24 season was derailed by a rare double posterior root repair of his meniscus—a surgery that required extensive rehabilitation and ultimately kept him off the court for the entirety of the campaign. Despite his best efforts to return, Lee opted to prioritize his long‑term health over a rushed comeback.
Off the hardwood, Lee’s life has been deeply intertwined with the Curry family. He is married to Sydel Curry, the only daughter of former NBA sharpshooter Dell Curry, making him brother‑in‑law to two‑time MVP Stephen Curry and NBA guard Seth Curry. Throughout his career, Lee frequently credited his wife and children as his “why,” the driving force that kept him motivated during grueling workouts, rehabilitation periods, and the inevitable ups and downs of a professional athlete’s life. In his retirement post, he wrote, “To my wife and kids, thank you for always being there and continuing to be my why and reason when I thought there wasn’t one,” underscoring the central role family played in his journey.
Lee’s career statistics—315 games played, 7.8 points, 1.3 assists, and 0.6 steals per game—may not jump off the page, but they reflect a player who maximized his role, adapted to various team needs, and consistently delivered when called upon. His ability to hit timely three‑pointers, defend multiple positions, and maintain a professional demeanor made him a respected teammate across three organizations. Moreover, his championship experience with the Warriors adds a notable highlight to a résumé that includes a G League stint, collegiate accolades, and a reputation as a reliable 3‑and‑D wing.
As Lee steps away from the game, he leaves behind a legacy of perseverance, adaptability, and family‑first values. His retirement announcement, filled with gratitude and optimism for “the next chapter,” signals not an end but a transition—perhaps into coaching, broadcasting, or other endeavors where his basketball IQ and leadership can continue to influence the sport he loves. For fans of the Hawks, Warriors, and Suns, Damion Lee will be remembered as the steady, hardworking contributor who helped his teams chase success while always keeping his loved ones at the forefront of his motivation.