Clippers Free Agency: Lance Stephenson may go for minimum
By Tom West
The Los Angeles Clippers may have no interest in a Lance Stephenson reunion, but he would at least be in their budget if he goes for the minimum as reported.
The idea of the Los Angeles Clippers bringing back Lance Stephenson — after they made a terrible trade to send him away with a 2019 protected first-round pick for 27 games of Jeff Green — isn’t a new one. Some Clippers fans continue to suggest that bringing back Lance for less than his original $9 million salary could be an option, or they at least want it to be an option.
Who knows whether that’s something the Clippers will actually consider. At this stage, the interest has been so low in Stephenson that if Doc Rivers and Co. had been making any calls to Lance, we’d have surely heard some reports on the matter. And unless Doc wants to significantly change the way he used Lance, he won’t bring him back.
However, the idea remains, and the chance of Lance at least being within the Clippers’ reach financially is a strong one.
On The Lowe Post podcast, ESPN’s Zach Lowe and Marc Stein discussed the lack of interest for Stephenson as his deadly quiet free agency continues:
"Lowe: Anyone want Lance Stephenson?Stein: … It’s July 28th. If I’ve heard his name three times this month, that’s a lot. I would think someone will eventually take him for the minimum. But, man, what was that offer he turned down? $45 million?Lowe: Five years, $44 million."
Hearing that a free agent such as Stephenson, who was a borderline All-Star and the NBA’s leader in triple-doubles in 2013-14, has drawn such minimal interest speaks volumes about his fall. It’s a shame for him, especially after a solid stint in Memphis following the trade.
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With averages of 19.2 points, six rebounds and 3.8 assists per 36 minutes in that 26-game span, shooting 47.4 percent and 35.5 percent from three, you’d think Stephenson did enough to add to the value he earned during his Pacers days and earn a contract. The talent, despite character questions and his recent trips to several teams, is still there.
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“He might have to be one of those vets who waits till the season starts, a need arises, and then someone decides to go after him. I have scarcely heard him [Stephenson] mentioned since free agency began,” Stein said.
Lowe added that he’s heard some murmurs of Tom Thibodeau’s Minnesota Timberwolves having some interest in Stephenson. As Lowe mentioned, the Timberwolves’ roster is full at 15 players, but moving someone wouldn’t be out of the question if they really want to bring Stephenson onboard with a cheap, low-risk contract.
Along with Thibs, Lowe mentioned Frank Vogel, Stephenson’s former head coach with the Indiana Pacers and current head coach of the Orlando Magic, as someone who still “loves Lance”. To further from that, though, Lowe said that Magic GM Rob Hennigan likely won’t Stephenson on the roster.
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Price aside, there’s no telling if the Clippers will ever have interest in a reunion, no matter what talent Stephenson has to offer as the third small forward for no more than the minimum.