The NBA rumors continue as we round out the last few free agents available. One of them is Lance Stephenson.
In the NBA, it is often mentioned that reputation could be more valuable than actual statistics. It's hard to imagine that Lance Stephenson was a starter on a team that went to the Eastern Conference Finals as recent as 2014.
That Indiana Pacers team had a quick fall from grace. Team President Larry Bird shipped starting center Roy Hibbert to the LA Lakers and David West went title chasing with the San Antonio Spurs. Even George Hill was traded this offseason to the Utah Jazz. Paul George was the only remnant of the team that challenged LeBron James and the Miami Heat.
Stephenson left a year before the team imploded, declining a five-year extension from the Pacers and taking an offer from the Charlotte Hornets. However, he did not play blend in with the team and earned the reputation as a chucker when his field goal percentages plummeted.
Still, it is hard to imagine that Stephenson would be at the bottom of the free agent barrel. It was rumored that he was open to return with the Indiana Pacers, but according to Larry Bird, "Born Ready" fits a roster with veterans and the Pacers are getting younger. While Stephenson is talented, he definitely needs to be surrounded by positive influences to remain effective (as he was with the Pacers back then).
His agent, Al Ebanks texted Vigilant Sports that they are looking for the perfect fit for their client.
"Our number one priority is finding the right fit for him," the message read. "Lance still has close friends there and would absolutely be open to that. He loved his time there and has always been grateful for all the support he has gotten from Pacers fans over the years."
There is an intriguing option for Lance Stephenson, as Zach Harper of CBS Sports noted. The Golden State Warriors are looking for veterans willing to play at the league minimum salary. Stephenson was one of the names suggested.
Putting Lance Stephenson on the Warriors could represent the highest of rewards and the most destructive of risks, but that's what makes it so fascinating," Harper noted. "This would be a complete heat-check by the Warriors' front office, believing that their skill development, culture and locker room could right the ship with Stephenson."
The Warriors could be the ideal landing spot in terms of positive influences, not to mention a familiar face from Indiana in David West. Stephenson can offer scoring and tough defense against opposing backcourts if the Warriors decide to take a flyer on him.
It would definitely add color to a Warriors' squad which has the entire basketball world fixated on them.