November 2, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Lance Stephenson (1) dunks to score a basket against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
He plays with energy
The Clippers have started picking up their intensity now that Chris Paul and J.J. Redick are back, and they’ve won five or their last six games for partly that reason. Over the beginning of the season, though, they were losing and playing so poorly due to lacking any kind of urgency or energy. You simply cannot contend that way.
What about Stephenson? Well, most of the time he’s playing with intensity and enjoying himself. He can push the pace in transition, he plays up-tempo when he’s controlling the ball, he can drive rather than solely taking jumpers, and he plays with far more intensity than Crawford and Pierce on defense. Before considering anything else, that gives Lance value as a guy coming off the bench who can play with the energy to make things happen.
Whether it’s grabbing and rebound for a fast break or driving to drop off a pass for a teammate, he brings a different dynamic than just another jump shooter. Yes, he can still take too many long twos at times which he makes at a poor rate, but he has more than that to offer. Recently, that’s been more on display while he’s averaged 7.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists with 53.3 percent shooting over the last six games (in only 20 minutes a night).
Stephenson’s energy is another reason that helps his case for not being traded, as it’s an element of his game where he has more to offer than Crawford — particularly at the defensive end of the floor.
Next, we need to consider what could be the most important factor in this entire potential trade situation: could the Clippers even get anyone of value in exchange for Stephenson?
Next: Who could the Clippers even get in return?