Lance Stephenson looks like a viable option to return to fill out Los Angeles Lakers’ roster.
The Los Angeles Lakers did a solid job recovering after Kawhi Leonard decided to join the Los Angeles Clippers. While all the premier pieces are already gone, some good ones were still there to be taken at a bargain price, just waiting for the first wave of free agency to pass.
Some familiar faces are returning next season; could one more come back as well?
Signed last year as the leading figure in a group of miscasts supposed to help LeBron James, in an experiment that tragically failed, Lance Stephenson still remains so far with no voices of formal offers made by any team. Of all the things went wrong in this experimental season, Lance is probably one of the few positives to be taken and his return could fit the new team.
Stephenson brings that energy, confidence and arrogance on the court that help makes a team competitive. His play and intensity boosted the Lakers to some victories over the course of the season. Such kind of player is always useful off the bench, just to change the rhythm of the game when things are going south.
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Despite averaging just 7.2 points in 16.5 minutes of action, his contribution has been more important than stats say. Especially at the start of the season, he was featured in a prominent role in the Lakers’ rotation as sixth man, primary scorer off the bench and sometimes, principal ball handler.
The 3-point shooting was good (actually, one of the best of his career) and transition plays remained what he excels in.
His defense stayed solid and his gritty approach often helped to give the young Lakers core a direction during ball games.
He lost minutes down the stretch, basically because, with LeBron James out and things getting complicated, Luke Walton tried to find stability in a rotation mainly featuring young players.
Based on the fact that we have not heard about him at all so far in free agency, Stephenson is probably not going to have a strong market. Re-signing him at the veteran minimum remains a solid possibility that Rob Pelinka should jump at, considering the need of veterans at a cheap cost he has.
It seems like a lifetime ago that Lance was carrying the Pacers, along with Paul George, to the Conference Finals, but at 28 years old he is still in his prime and able to keep giving his contribution, both on offense and defense, to a team that will finally contend for a championship.
Just once more Lance, “Make ’em dance!”