After a very long and frustrating off-season for mercurial and brash New York product Lance Stephenson, the long wait is finally over as Stephenson has signed a one-year deal to join the New Orleans Pelicans.
Lance Stephenson is officially a member of the #Pelicans. @JejeGomez_PtR wrote why it's the perfect match. https://t.co/FsEhTveoK2
— FRS Hoopz (@FRS_Hoopz) September 14, 2016
Lance had to feel like the one rookie who would be left in the green room for hours by his lonesome on draft night while he tries his best to keep a poker face while being embarrassed on national TV. This will be his fourth team in three years (Hornets, Clippers, Grizzlies) after breaking out for the Indiana Pacers in the 2013-14 season and finishing 2nd for the NBA Most Improved Player award.
Stephenson seemed to regain some of his previous relentless aggression and ear-blowing swagger after being acquired by an imploding Grizzlies team midway through last season, averaging 14.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists over the final 25 games in 26 minutes per game. This is why it was kind of surprising, even with his reputation, that he was previously unable to find a team to latch on to for the 2016-17 season.
This is a savvy move by a Pelicans. They could be lacking ball handlers and play makers early as Tyreke Evans recovers from knee surgery and we all know how injury prone Jrue Holiday has proven to be. Stephenson is still only 26 and if he is given the confidence and trust of Alvin Gentry and the Pelicans coaching staff he can be a very valuable piece for New Orleans as they try to get back into the postseason hunt.
