Report: Suns Signing Saben Lee to Two-Way Deal; Duane Washington Jr. Waived

The Phoenix Suns are reportedly signing Saben Lee to a two-way deal for the rest of the season, according to Shams Charania.

When Saben Lee's second ten-day contract ran out, plenty around the Phoenix Suns were sad at the thought of letting him walk.

Lee had played fairly strong for somebody completely foreign to what Phoenix wanted to run, yet his presence during a slew of injuries to the Suns' backcourt made it tough for the front office to let him walk, as NBA rules dictate a player must be signed to the roster or released after a maximum of two ten-day deals. 

Lee didn't make it very far.

The Athletic's Shams Charania reports the Suns are waiving guard Duane Washington Jr. and having Lee take his place on the roster. 

The Phoenix Suns are signing guard Saben Lee to a two-way NBA deal and waiving Duane Washington Jr., sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Lee earns deal with Suns after strong stint on 10-days. Washington has scoring ability, averaging 8 points in 13 minutes per game this season.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 1, 2023

Lee played a total of ten games for the Suns during his initial stint, averaging seven points and 3.3 assists on 45.5% shooting. In four of his first five games with Phoenix where he received regular minutes, Lee strung together scoring performances of 12, 10, 15 and 12. 

Back on Jan. 20, Monty Williams offered the following on Lee's play:

“James (Jones) and I talked about it yesterday. We like him. For me, how it works with cap, financial I am not sure. He is somebody that we like, liked him in camp. Hopeful to keep him around; he brings something that we need," Williams said.

"Defends and stays in front of the ball. Since we had him last, he is getting to the pain in the pick and roll. Getting the ball down the floor even when you try to pressure him, which is something we have been struggling with without Chris (Paul), Book (Devin Booker) in the lineup and Cam Payne getting the ball down the floor. He has been able to do it pretty well so we will see how it goes.”

The Suns saw a plethora of backcourt players from Devin Booker to Landry Shamet miss time in January, and as a result Lee has taken advantage of his opportunities - enough so to stay with the team for the rest of the season.