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Clippers Roundtable: Grading every 2015 free agency signing

By Pete D. Camarillo

Jul 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers players pose with jerseys at press conference at Staples Center. From left: Branden Dawson (22), DeAndre Jordan (6), Austin Rivers (25), coach Doc Rivers and Josh Smith (5), Cole Aldrich (45), Paul Pierce (34) and Wesley Johnson (33). Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers players pose with jerseys at press conference at Staples Center. From left: Branden Dawson (22), DeAndre Jordan (6), Austin Rivers (25), coach Doc Rivers and Josh Smith (5), Cole Aldrich (45), Paul Pierce (34) and Wesley Johnson (33). Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 7, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward
Dec 7, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward /

Lance Stephenson

Grade: B-

Tim Hiley: For me, Lance Stephenson’s stint at the Clippers was a bit of a roller coaster. When they traded Matt Barnes and Spencer Hawes last year for Lance, I was completely torn as to how I felt.

Part of me was screaming at why the Clippers traded for Stephenson when he had shot an appalling percentage in Charlotte, received several DNPs because he was more detrimental to the team than beneficial, and there were whispers about his attitude. Ultimately, they didn’t lose much and they’ve got someone with massive potential and with the experience to help out the side.

There were mixed messages and mixed signals from coach Rivers, as one game Stephenson played 30 minutes, the next he played 2 minutes, the next he got a DNP (coach’s decision), the next he played 19 and then the following game played just five minutes. Talk about mixed messages!

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Then, oddly, he started playing really well for the Clippers, just before they traded him. In eight of the final ten games of his Clippers career (the other two were DNPs), he hit 28 of his final 38 shots. He virtually won a game on his own versus the Magic, where he hit all six of his shots.

During those last eight appearances, he was averaging a solid 8 points, 3 boards, 1 assist while shooting 73 percent from the field and 71 percent from deep in just 16 minutes per game. He was playing incredibly efficiently and was becoming comfortable with his role, providing energy off the bench and playing at a very useful level. So when they  opted to acquire Green, I was sad to see Stephenson go, but I was pleased to get Jeff Green.

Ultimately, I think they made the right call, as Green was similar to Lance in many ways. He’s a good defender, can contribute in a number of ways and can score 24 in a game, then go scoreless one night later. Green is slightly more consistent and slightly less erratic. When Green is on his game, he can produce more than Stephenson.

Next: Thank you for Mbah a Moute, Kings

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