Lance Stephenson (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
Lance Stephenson could be on his way out of the Los Angeles Clippers after Doc Rivers hinted that the former would not be able to help the team at the moment.
Stephenson has been struggling to find his lethal form during his stint with the Charlotte Hornets, and has now struggled more playing for the LA Clippers.
He started for the Clippers at the beginning of the season, but went to a reserve role, playing around 20 minutes per game.
But in the Clippers' last two games, the former Indiana Pacers has been a non-factor. He only played one minute and 42 seconds against the Detroit Pistons, and was a DNP-coach against the Golden State Warriors.
"He will [help us]. Just not right now," Rivers said, reports CBS Sports.
Rivers might be reserving Stephenson for a bigger role when the season comes down halfway through the playoffs. But fans and pundits could also interpret Rivers' statement as an impending trade to acquire a player more fitted to his system.
The Clippers organization has not yet hinted any intention to move Stephenson, but if the trade goes down, the Dallas Mavericks could use some help at the wing position.
Before Stephenson signed with the Hornets, Stephenson had a verbal agreement with the Mavs if the Houston Rockets are to keep Chandler Parsons.
Parsons clearly ended with the Mavs, giving way for Stephenson to join the Hornets.
Mavs could relive their interest with Stephenson and take up Parsons' minutes at the small forward position, while the latter recovers from his knee injury.
In his 10 games with the Clippers, Stephenson only averaged 5.6 points on 20.1 minutes of play time. He is far from his averages during his last year with the Pacers, but he could still play a bench role for the Mavs.
However, the trade is unlikely to happen as Rivers is the one who actually traded for Stephenson to bring more athleticism to the team, reports LA Times.
The trade speculation surrounding Stephenson may not become a reality just yet, but anything can happen in the NBA, especially when the trade deadline approaches near.
