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Lakers: 5 Under the Radar Free Agents LA Should Consider

By Christian Rivas

Feb 26, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton talks with guard D'Angelo Russell (1) in the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton talks with guard D'Angelo Russell (1) in the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Lance Stephenson

Feb 12, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Lance Stephenson (7) dribbles in the second quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Lance Stephenson (7) dribbles in the second quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

Remember Lance Stephenson? The 26-year-old from Brooklyn, New York went from being a rising star on an up and coming Indiana Pacers team, with All-Stars Paul George and Roy Hibbert, to the 15th best player on a non-playoff team. Think that’s hyperbolic? Hardly.

Stephenson signed two 10-day contracts with the Minnesota Timberwolves and failed to land a multi-year contract with the team. Is he really that bad or has he just been asked to do too much?

When Stephenson left Indiana to sign with the Hornets, he signed on to be the guy alongside Kemba Walker. Unfortunately, Stephenson wasn’t the type of player everyone thought he was.. Charlotte found that out after just one season and let him walk in free agency.

Not even the Clippers, who have infamously had a terrible bench for years, kept him around. Instead, Doc Rivers packaged Stephenson with an unprotected first-rounder and traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies for Jeff Green. The Clippers traded a first round pick for Jeff Green. That will never fail to be hilarious.

So maybe Stephenson isn’t a starting-caliber shooting guard. Then what is he? Well for the Lakers, he could be a serviceable backup shooting guard. After shipping Lou Williams and Marcelo Huertas to Houston and waiving Jose Calderon, the Lakers’ guard depth is thinner than Brandon Ingram‘s legs.

Stephenson could be the second guard off the bench and play alongside Jordan Clarkson in the second unit. He doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective, which is good considering he’ll have to share the backcourt with Clarkson. He would also add a defensive balance to a team that needs it badly. “Born Ready” was No. 6 six in the league in Defensive Win Shares during the 2013-14 season.

At just 26 years old, Stephenson has a chance to turn his NBA career around. While mid-career jumps are a rarity, it would be worth giving him a shot. If anything, he can be there for the free agency pitch for Paul George along with Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw, who coached George and Stephenson in Indiana from 2011-2013.

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