Not too long ago, Lance Stephenson was a rising prospect in the NBA.
After he was the 40th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, he started to emerge in the 2013-14 season, averaging 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game.
Stephenson also had a reputation as one of the stronger defenders in the NBA at the wing spot, and he helped the Indiana Pacers reach the Eastern Conference Finals in 2013 and 2014.
But over the next several years, he had trouble staying healthy, and he bounced around from team to team.
This past season, the Pacers reacquired him, and although he showed some signs of life with them, he is currently still a free agent.
Does Stephenson deserve another chance somewhere in the league?
Stephenson Can Still Play A Little
In the 2021-22 season, the Brooklyn native averaged 9.3 points and 3.9 assists in 18.6 minutes per game while shooting 45.8 percent from the field in 40 games with Indiana.
Never forget when Lance Stephenson dropped 20 points in the 1st quarter off the bench in his first game back as a Pacer pic.twitter.com/B5pw4nlfkD
— Giannis’s Left Knee ➐ (@GiannisLamar_) July 12, 2022
He may not be what he was several years ago, but he may be useful in the right situation.
In his last full NBA season, which came during the 2018-19 campaign, Stephenson appeared in 68 games for the LeBron James-led Los Angeles Lakers and put up decent numbers while shooting a strong 37.1 percent from 3-point range, a skill he has never consistently exhibited.
He is also a tough cookie who will never back down and won’t back away from physicality.
In one game of the 2014 playoffs, while going up against him in the East Finals, Stephenson blew in James’ ear, which resulted in some chuckles and snickers around the league.
Six years ago today, Lance Stephenson pulled out his secret weapon against LeBron 😗💨 pic.twitter.com/B2XDh9gLvT
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 28, 2020
At age 31 (he will turn 32 later this summer), he isn’t exactly old, but he also has experience that can come in handy for some of the NBA’s younger teams.
The best situation for Stephenson, however, may be a more veteran team that is on the cusp of winning the world championship and needs a little more depth at the wing spot, not to mention more defense and toughness.
If given the opportunity to play off one or two stars, he may be reasonably efficient on the offensive end while also providing something on the other end of the floor.
Could The Boston Celtics Be A Viable Option?
This is pure speculation, but maybe the Boston Celtics would be a good fit for Stephenson.
They could use some more functional depth, especially at the 2 and the 3, as well as some more muscle and toughness.
Boston has historically won championships by being physical, or some would say dirty, intimidating opponents and hitting first, which are all things Stephenson can do.
Right now, the Celtics’ only real option off the bench at the small forward spot is Sam Hauser, who was an undrafted rookie this past season and only averaged 2.5 points and 1.1 rebounds in 6.1 minutes per game.
Instead of hoping he becomes a diamond in the rough, perhaps they could take a flyer on Stephenson and see if he can give them what they need.
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