Lance Stephenson (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Clippers dropped into the NBA trade rumors mill when it was revealed that they were shopping Lance Stephenson and Josh Smith.
The report came from Marc Spears of Yahoo Sports. He said the Clippers "gauged interest" in Lance Stephenson and Josh Smith. However, "there is not much of a market for them," one NBA executive said. "They are buyout candidates. Maybe Lance goes back to Indiana, you never know. You won't get back much for them."
Considering that both players were already risky to begin with, the Clippers apparently ended up keeping both players-at least for now. Stephenson returning to Indiana was intriguing, but the Pacers probably do not want their former player's drama now that they're doing better than expected.
Enter the Portland Trailblazers. The team lost all of its starting unit and two key reserves, leaving point guard Damian Lillard as their lone star. Lillard is a very capable point guard and can score explosively, but Lance Stephenson can provide what is considered as Lilllard's weak point: Defense.
This is the basis for Rip City Project's trade idea. The Blazers have their scoring concentrated in their backcourt with Lillard and CJ McCollum but both are undersized and leave the team weak on defense. Stephenson has been known to guard players like LeBron James during his Indiana Pacers days. He can provide the aggressive defense for the team.
On the other hand, the Clippers can take Gerald Henderson. Henderson is a quiet shooting guard who can score and silently work within the team system. The emergence of McCollum and also Allen Crabbe left Henderson with little room on their rotation.
This may be a low-key swap and would not be enough to change both teams' fortuned by themselves, but it can be a step in the right direction.
