Lance Stephenson (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Oklahoma City Thunder could consider Lance Stephenson as an alternative to fill the void left by Kevin Durant.
The Thunder are left finding all the help they could get after Drant spurn them over the Golden State Warriors this summer. For the meantime, OKC could rely on Russell Westbrook, but there is a very huge gaping hole to fill in Durant's absence.
With the market dried up of top quality players, there are not enough options for the Thunder to consider. But according to James Polazzon of Sports Illustrated's Fansided, Lance Stephenson could be one of the team's option to consider as their starting forward.
"I think that the Oklahoma City Thunder should give Lance an opportunity to start in OKC and see if he can find his old form in OKC," Polazzon wrote.
"If Stephenson is able to produce at the rate he was in Memphis, the Thunder would be in good shape at the starting small forward position."
After his remarkable stint in his final season with the Indiana Pacers, Stephenson joined the Charlotte Hornets before getting traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, where he became less relevant, averaging only 4.7 points and 2.5 rebounds off the bench. He was then moved to Memphis, where Stephenson revived his career, posting averages of 14.2 points, while playing 26.6 minutes for the Grizzlies.
Stephenson, who is now an unrestricted free agent after the Memphis Grizzlies declined his $9.4 million team option, would be a solid addition to the Thunder if the 25-year-old forward could bring back his old form. But as Polazzon noted, if Stephenson could play at a high level, the Thunder find themselves an essential piece to prepare them from life without Durant.
However, it seems more likely Stephenson would suit up pairing with Paul George once again, with the former expressing interests in coming back to Indiana.
"If (given) a chance I would love to come back home," Stephenson told Vigilant Sports.
The Pacers are also reportedly interested in bringing back Stephenson, with the team looking to reload their lineup for next season. The Pacers have already signed a handful of key players to surround George and bringing Stephenson would only improve Indiana's already intriguing lineup.
According to Nate Taylor of the Indianapolis Star, Stephenson has already discussed the possibility of agreeing to a multi-year deal with the Pacers, where the forward started his NBA career.
"Stephenson has discussed the possibility of agreeing to a multi-year deal with the Pacers, a league source confirmed to the IndyStar. Stephenson, a combo guard who became an unrestricted free agent last week after Memphis declined his team option, is open to returning to the Pacers next season," Taylore wrote.
The Pacers make sense for Stephenson as it would probably give him a new start and a chance to become an effective forward once again. But the Thunder could also offer Stephenson a chance to thrive again, with the team needing someone to fill the void left by Durant.
