This summer’s historical free agency is now coming to an end, and some players have yet to make a deal. Some of the players who are still not on a team arguably deserve to be on one, but none more than Lance Stephenson.
Lance Stephenson is the most valuable free agent besides J.R. Smith (likely working out a deal with the Cavs). Lance struggled after leaving the Pacers after their successful 2013-2014 season, only averaging 8.2 points, 0.1 blocks, 0.6 steals, 3.9 assists, and 4.5 rebounds a game, seeing 25.8 minutes a game with Charlotte. The season before in Indiana, he averaged a whopping 35.3 minutes a game and also averaged 13.8 points, 4.6 assists, 0.1 blocks, 0.7 steals, and 7.2 rebounds a game. Lance’s biggest drop off from his successful 2013-2014 season was his field goal percentage, going from an impressive 49.1% to 37.6% with Charlotte. After Stephenson’s disappointing season in Charlotte, he struggled to see valuable playing time. In the recent season, he was only averaging 15.8 minutes a game with the Clippers, averaging 4.7 points 0.1 blocks, 0.6 steals (impressive for his small amount of playing time), 1.4 assists, and 2.5 rebounds a game. Lance’s field goal percentage went back to impressive after his stint in Charlotte, at an average of 48.3% since leaving. When the Clippers traded him, mid-season to the Grizzlies, Lance finally saw valuable minutes. Memphis was plagued with injuries, making them desperate for a scorer and Lance served that role well. He averaged 26.6 minutes a game in Memphis, and also averaged 14.2 points, 0.2 blocks, 0.7 steals, 2.8 assists, and 4.4 rebounds, shooting 47.4% from the field. Despite playing fewer minutes per a game in the playoffs, 23.8 minutes a game, Stephenson stepped up for the Grizzlies, shooting a very impressive 52.3% from the field and still dropped 13.0 points a game. Stephenson proved in Memphis that he is still a valuable player in the NBA. Stephenson is also an annoying and solid defender, which is hard to find in today’s NBA.
Many teams don’t want Stephenson because of his personality, but there has to be at least one team that can make him fit. Stephenson is only 26 years old, so he should improve on the court and mature. He can also play multiple positions, shooting guard and small forward, which makes him even more valuable. A team should take the risk on Stephenson and do what they can to make him fit, because he has the talent to be the sixth man on almost every NBA team. Stephenson recently worked out with the New Orleans Pelicans, so Stephenson may sign a contract with them in the next week or two. If not, Stephenson may end up in China, which would be a shame.
