Former Memphis Grizzlies wingman Lance Stephenson being guarded by Golden State Warriors' Andre Iguodala. (Photo : Getty Images)
Recent rumors are out that the New York Knicks could make Lance Stephenson a target in this summer's free-agency after the Memphis Grizzlies recently declined the wingman's team option.
The 25-year-old Brooklyn native, together with a future first-round pick, was traded by the Los Angeles Clippers to the Grizzlies for forward Jeff Green during last February's trade deadline after a lackluster 43-game stint with Doc Rivers' crew where he averaged 4.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists playing in only 15.8 minutes per game.
Stephenson's numbers went up with Memphis for the last 26 games of the season as he registered averages of 14.2 points, 4.4 boards, and 2.8 dimes per 26.6 minutes of playing time a night. Still, the Grizzlies were not keen on keeping him in their roster for the next term.
Yahoo Sports reported that Memphis recently declined Stephenson's $9.4 million team option for next season which means he is officially an unrestricted free agent at the moment.
The Grizzlies are allegedly opening up "as much cap space as possible" as the team hopes to retain starting point guard Mike Conley and also pursue some of the free agents in the market this July, such as Pau Gasol, Nicolas Batum, and Ryan Anderson, so the former Cincinnati standout has to be released from their owed salaries.
Meanwhile, Fansided indicated that the Knicks are looking for a defensive wingman and Stephenson could be an option to consider for Phil Jackson and company.
According to recent rumors, New York is allegedly set to lose starting shooting guard Arron Afflalo to the Washington Wizards this free-agency and so the Knicks could gamble on Stephenson as a potential replacement.
A starting backcourt composed of Stephenson and Derrick Rose could be formidable, although they would be one injury away from potential disaster as well.
The report noted, though, that "Stephenson has become a realistic option for the Knicks at the 2 or 3, which are positions that require some change if New York hopes to strengthen the team overall".
However, shooting guard Justin Holiday, who came along with the D-Rose trade last week, is rumored to be head coach Jeff Hornacek's planned starter and so Stephenson could come off the bench, which would allow the former Indiana Pacer "to stick to his role as a ball-dominant guard", something that is better for the Knicks in the long run.
