Phoenix Suns Make Decision On Fate Of Dynamic 10-Day Signee

It's rare for a player on a 10-day contract to be out there scoring in double digits three straight games. But that's exactly where dynamic point guard Saben Lee has found himself with the Phoenix Suns. And now the team is re-upping with him for another 10 days. 

OFFICIAL: Suns re-sign Saben Lee to a second 10-day contract. pic.twitter.com/lWKHfuby6k

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) January 21, 2023

Suns Head Coach Monty Williams had already lobbied for keeping Lee around a day before his first contract ran out. 

Monty Williams said he and James Jones talked about Saben Lee and they both like him. Lee is on the penultimate day of his 10-day contract

"I'm hopeful to keep him around, because he brings something that we need."

— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) January 20, 2023

"I'm hopeful to keep him around, because he brings something that we need," said Williams. But really, relying on him to play big minutes the past couple of games is proof enough.

The Suns have been missing starting guards Chris Paul and Devin Booker, as well as backup Cam Payne. Lee has filled in admirably.

In the last Suns game on Thursday, a 117-112 win over the Brooklyn Nets, Lee played a tick under 30 minutes, scoring 15 points and dishing out six dimes while making two of his four shots from beyond the arc.

S/O to former Piston Saben Lee — in 4 games with the suns he's putting up:

11.3 PTS | 3.8 AST | 52% FG | 43% 3P 🔥

Hopefully he's found a home in Phoenix, I'd love to see the Suns sign him for the rest of the season. pic.twitter.com/VSCqH8CDOa

— Jack Kelly (@jack_kelly_313) January 20, 2023

In four games with Phoenix, the 23-year-old is averaging 11.3 points and 3.8 assists in just about 22 minutes per game, while shooting 42.9% from downtown.

“He can defend, picks up 94 feet and he can push the pace,” Suns president of basketball operations and GM James Jones said right after they signed Lee to his first 10-day. “He’s a guy that gets paint touches and puts pressure on the defense, and can get us into some early offense."

The real issue will come another week and a half from now, when the Suns will have a real decision to make: players are not allowed to sign more than two 10-day contracts with a team. After the second one, the team must either sign the player for the balance of the season, or let him go back into free agency. 

With the health issues facing the Suns in the backcourt this season, if he keeps playing as he has, Saben Lee just might have found a home.

Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports