Clippers: 5 reasons Lance Stephenson should not be traded
By Tom West
Dec 2, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Lance Stephenson (left) moves the ball defended by Indiana Pacers guard Rodney Stuckey (right) during the second quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Rumors have surfaced that the Los Angeles Clippers have ‘gauged interest’ in trading Lance Stephenson, but there’s no way they should try and move him.
The Los Angeles Clippers are finally on the rise after their disappointing start after winning five of their last six games to move up to a 12-9 record and 5th place in the Western Conference. They are by no means close to their potential considering the new pieces they have in play, but at least stringing some wins together is a big step in the right direction. However, not everything is necessarily staying as it is in L.A.
The Clippers have been gauging trade interest for both Lance Stephenson and Josh Smith, while it’s also been reported that they are still open to trading Jamal Crawford, too.
Whether or not someone is traded or who that will be is entirely up in the air, but for specific names to surface surrounding these rumors isn’t necessarily a coincidence. The early struggles of Stephenson and Smith, not to mention the inefficiency and terrible defense of Crawford haven’t exactly earned them a spot on Doc Rivers’ no-trade list.
However, when looking at the two potential guards who could be traded, there is no way that Stephenson should be dealt instead of Crawford. The latter may have a couple of 30-point games under his belt, but there’s far more that Lance has to offer and he has more value to the Clippers because of it.
There are several key factors as to why Stephenson should not be dealt, so let’s begin with an important one: his improved shooting.
Next: He's actually shooting fairly well