Clippers: Why Doc Rivers may trade Lance Stephenson now

Dec 7, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Lance Stephenson (1) against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Clippers defeated the Timberwolves 110-106. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

After forcing him to the bench, rumors of the Los Angeles Clippers ‘gauging interest’ in him, and the importance of December 18, there’s a chance Doc Rivers may trade Lance Stephenson now.

As of December 15, almost every player signed this summer is eligible for trade, which has already sent rumors flying around the internet. Multiple teams are going after DeMarcus Cousins as per usual, and plenty will be happening from now on. However, from a Los Angeles Clippers perspective, is there a chance that Doc Rivers is going to look to trade Lance Stephenson now?

It may be a little out there and seem hasty to suggest that Doc wants to move Stephenson, seeing as there haven’t been any more reports over the last week saying that a trade is likely. That being said, he was reportedly available for trade a week ago and the Clippers were ‘gauging interest’ around the league in him, and that’s a major factor to consider before looking at Doc’s treatment of Stephenson as well.

Which, so far, hasn’t shown any faith in him or given any indication of a positive, long-term future in L.A.

There may be no concrete evidence that Doc will actually trade Stephenson soon, but we’ve certainly been given plenty of indication that he is far from being one of the most valued players on the Clippers roster. At the very least, there is no harm in considering the possibilities now that NBA trade season is upon us.

In fact, there are a couple of reasons why Stephenson could be dealt now.

This leads us to the first factor as to why there’s a chance he could be traded this week: teams have less than a week to complete a trade if they want the chance to trade that player again before the deadline on February 18.

Next: December 18 is almost here