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Los Angeles Lakers: Lance Stephenson looking for long-term deal

By Kenneth Teape

LAS VEAGS, NV - JULY 17: Lance Stephenson of the Los Angeles Lakers attends the game against the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 17, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEAGS, NV - JULY 17: Lance Stephenson of the Los Angeles Lakers attends the game against the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 17, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Lance Stephenson is hoping to parlay his one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers into a long-term deal.

The Los Angeles Lakers added a number of veteran players to their roster this offseason. LeBron James was the headliner, but he was only the first of a slew of signings that Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka made. One of the other veterans that they signed was Lance Stephenson.

Stephenson has become well traveled in recent seasons. He parlayed an excellent 2013-14 season with the Indiana Pacers into a multi-year deal with the Charlotte Hornets. That deal would prove to be a bust, as Stephenson’s production cratered.

Following one season with the Hornets, Stephenson was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. He wasn’t long for Los Angeles, as they traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies at the 2016 NBA Trade Deadline.

Stephenson played well with the Grizzlies, averaging 14.2 points in 26 games with Memphis. While he played well, he was unable to parlay that into another contract.

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Stephenson spent the 2016-17 in the NBA for only 18 games. He was signed by the New Orleans Pelicans during training camp but was waived after only appearing in six games. Stephenson would sign two 10-day contracts with the Minnesota Timberwolves before landing back with the Pacers to finish the season.

Indiana and Stephenson agreed to a multi-year deal. It looked like a solid investment, as Stephenson played in all 82 games with the Pacers last season. However, looking to gain some financial flexibility heading into free agency, they declined his player option.

As a result, Stephenson was a free agent again, agreeing to a one-year deal with the Lakers. For that are keeping score, that makes six teams for Stephenson in the past four seasons, the Lakers being his seventh.

With so much change over the past few seasons, Stephenson is hoping that he has found a home with the Lakers. Stephenson is hopeful that he can parlay this season into a long-term deal and a place to call home for a while.

"“Oh yeah, I’m definitely looking for a long-term contract after this. I’m trying to find a home. I’ve been moving a lot and to different teams. I’m trying to find a place where I can actually call home and feel comfortable, and actually get a nice place and stay there for a while.”"

Stephenson will only be 28 in September. He has plenty of basketball ahead of him as he is right in the middle of his peak. His energy and hustle are something that will endear him to fans. He is someone that LeBron James wanted to play alongside in Los Angeles, so the pressure is on to perform.

Next. 3 Reasons Signing Lance Stephenson Was A Bad Decision. dark

It is anyone’s guess if Stephenson will find a long-term home with the Lakers. However, playing alongside James will give him an excellent opportunity to rehab his value around the league after changing teams so often in recent years.

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