NBA Rumor: Lance Stephenson Free Agency
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Michael Beasley, Lance Stephenson sign deals to join G League
Shams Charania: Veteran NBA players Lance Stephenson and Michael Beasley have signed contracts to play in the NBA G League, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium . Stephenson and Beasley will be in the Draft on Monday.
The Brooklyn native, who turns 30 in September, was “99 percent” set to sign a deal with the Indiana Pacers before the pandemic hit in March, but was not permitted to sign with the league after spending the first part of this season in China, he and his agent said Friday in a joint phone interview. “Yeah, definitely, I wanted to play in Orlando,” Stephenson said.
Reggie Brown, his agent with Priority Sports, said Stephenson was on the brink of re-signing with the Pacers in March. “We were in serious conversations for a third-time’s-a-charm return to the Pacers,” Brown said. “We were offered buyout money from the team in China from the Pacers and we were 99 percent done. And then the pandemic took place, and the NBA decided that no overseas players would be allowed to participate in the 22-team bubble return. They would only take players who played last season or this season in the NBA and/or the G League.”
He is currently working out in Indianapolis in hopes of a return to the NBA, ideally with the Pacers, for the 2020-21 season slated to start in December, possibly in a bubble. “My goal is just to shape in shape, stay working, stay ready for next season,” Stephenson said. Stephenson said he is open to playing overseas, but his goal is to return to the NBA. “Lance 100 percent deserves to be in the NBA as a rotation guy, not just on a team,” Brown said. “Whatever role he had in the NBA going forward, he would accept it but he definitely belongs in the NBA. It’s not even close.
Scott Agness: No, Lance Stephenson is not an option to replace Oladipo. Source close to the situation confirms that he is ineligible. On March 11, the morning the season was suspended, I reported how he was nearing a deal to return (after injuries to Brogdon and Lamb).
Lance Stephenson to Pacers?
Shams Charania: Lance Stephenson is in strong talks on a potential deal with Indiana, sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium. No agreement or decision is finalized. Stephenson would also need clearance from his Chinese team and FIBA.
ESPN reported the Chinese Basketball Association is expected to be suspended until early April, or possibly cancelled altogether, because of the virus. “We’re still 100 percent honoring our commitment to China until further notice but if an NBA team presents a legitimate opportunity we will cross that bridge as soon as possible,” said Stephenson’s agent, Reggie Brown. Stephenson has yet to be offered a 10-day contract with an NBA team, Brown said.
ESPN reported the Chinese Basketball Association is expected to be suspended until early April, or possibly cancelled altogether, because of the virus. “We’re still 100 percent honoring our commitment to China until further notice but if an NBA team presents a legitimate opportunity we will cross that bridge as soon as possible,” said Stephenson’s agent, Reggie Brown. Stephenson has yet to be offered a 10-day contract with an NBA team, Brown said.
The best option to replace him likely will be on their roster. The reality is that anyone unsigned right now would have a learning curve, and there’s a reason they’re without a job. Pacers fans are pushing for a third act from Lance Stephenson; there was even a chant of “We want Lance” at the end of Tuesday’s win, but don’t get your hopes up. League sources say that is not under consideration.
Stephenson, who has most recently played in China, lost his biggest advocate within the franchise in Larry Bird, who is now partially retired and living in Naples, Fla. But sources told The Athletic Indiana that Stephenson would welcome a reunion as he’s eager to return to the NBA.
Lance Stephenson attempting NBA comeback
Chris Haynes: Yahoo Sources: Free agent guard Lance Stephenson seeking return to NBA following season in China where he averaged 26.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and shot 52 percent from field. He’s willing to work out to prove his value.
Lance Stephenson: 🔥 pic.twitter.com/GVJ8dQ1THO
Emiliano Carchia: OFFICIAL: Lance Stephenson signs with Liaoning in China pic.twitter.com/fEnmP7HbYY
Lance Stephenson headed to China?
Emiliano Carchia: Lance Stephenson is in advanced discussion to join Chinese team Liaoning, a source told @Sportando
Chris Haynes: Free agent guard Lance Stephenson has reached a one-year, $4 million agreement with Liaoning of the Chinese Basketball Association, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
If that one-year deal he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers wraps up and Pacers president Kevin Pritchard calls Stephenson up with a plea: We want you back, Lance? “Oh, of course. This is home. Of course,” Stephenson said at his thank you party inside Incrediplex, a sports and entertainment venue in Indianapolis. “I would always want to come back here.”
Ryan Ward: #Lakers GM Rob Pelinka on Lance Stephenson: “It’s incredibly exciting to have Lance join our team. Lance is playoff-tested and will bring a certain edge, confidence and toughness to our roster.”
In the days and weeks leading up to the option trigger date, Stephenson had not received any assurances from the Pacers front office about his $4.3 million option, sources said. We’ve all been through the job-interview process. You know when a company wants you. That Monday, Stephenson was at the Pacers’ facility to lift weights and get shots up. He left about 30 minutes before word got out, according to a source, that they weren’t guaranteeing his contract for the 2018-19 season and he would soon become an unrestricted free agent.
Alysha Tsuji: A very nice message from Lance Stephenson, thanking the Pacers organization and fans pic.twitter.com/l0GblU2zuc
Free-agent swingman Lance Stephenson has agreed to join up with LeBron James to pursue a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers, league sources tell ESPN. Stephenson will sign a one-year, $4.5 million deal, the sources said.
Michael Scotto: The Los Angeles Lakers and Lance Stephenson have agreed to a 1-year, $4.5 million deal, league sources told The Athletic.
Bobby Marks: The $4.4M contract for Lance Stephenson is for the room midlevel exception. The Lakers only have the minimum exception unless they renounce Julius Randle.
Shams Charania: Lance Stephenson has agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, league sources tell Yahoo.
Darren Wolfson: Among many FAs the #Twolves have registered some level of interest: Tolliver, Nick Young, Lance Stephenson, Dante Cunningham, Amir Johnson, Trevor Booker, Jabari Bird, Ennis.
Scott Agness: Myles Turner on Lance: “Man this one hit where it hurt”
Scott Agness: Kevin Pritchard on not picking up the team option on Lance Stephenson’s contract: “This was a very difficult decision, but as free agency begins on July 1, we want to have flexibility so that we can prepare for all of our available options.”
Scott Agness: Lance Stephenson on Instagram: “Since a young’n I always believe in myself. Ready for all challenges, always held my head up and ready for all things GOD put me through. MAN I LOVE THIS GAME”
Bleacher Report: “In this business you do what’s right for YOU” — @Yg_Trece
Chris Haynes: ESPN Sources: With Indiana declining team option on Lance Stephenson, Tyreke Evans and Will Barton are expected to be two of its free-agent targets.
Shams Charania: The Indiana Pacers are declining Lance Stephenson’s $4.3M team option and he’ll be a free agent, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
Scott Agness: Thad Young has two weeks to decide on his Player Option. Stay with the team for one more year (at $13.7M), sign a new deal, or go elsewhere. Also by June 29th: Team Options due on Lance Stephenson, Joe Young. And Bojan Bogdanovic’s contract becomes guaranteed if not waived.
Bird, along with general manager Kevin Pritchard, always listened to Stephenson and his agents. Bird showed his faith in Stephenson once a roster spot became available, signing him Thursday to a three-year, $12 million deal. “A big part of this is Larry,” said Mark Bartelstein, one of Stephenson’s two agents. “They did a great job of staying connected and letting us know their interest. You always want to go where you’re wanted and I think Larry and Kevin were so consistent in telling us that (and) it led us to today.”
“Larry and Kevin are genuine guys and they believe in relationships,” Bartelstein said. “I think Larry, being a player in this league, knew what Lance was looking for at that time and I think there was always respect. When Larry believes in you, he’s always going to be a fan and he doesn’t hold grudges.”
“If Lance had to do it all over again, he wouldn’t have left the Pacers,” Bartelstein said. “You don’t often get a second chance and Lance knows that and is really appreciative and grateful for that.”
Stephenson, according to the league source, is thrilled to have a second chance to play for the Pacers. Stephenson spent Wednesday talking with several people in the organization to express his excitement and prepare of the most critical stretch of the team’s season.
“Everyone will have open arms,” Monta Ellis said of Stephenson. “We need him. Whatever he brings to the table, we’re going to need that. We just have to continue to play hard and we’ve got to play together. When we share the ball, move the ball, play together, everything flows right. We just have to do the things we’re supposed to do.”
Nate Taylor: Nate McMillan said he had the upmost respect for Rodney Stuckey. McMillan wouldn’t discuss Lance Stephenson since a deal isn’t finalized.
The Indiana Pacers agreed to a three-year, $12 million contract with Lance Stephenson after waiving injured guard Rodney Stuckey, league sources told The Vertical.
The Pacers hold an option on the third year of the deal, sources said.
Lance Stephenson back to Indiana
Lance Stephenson to Indiana?
Adrian Wojnarowski: The Pacers are working on a deal to bring back Lance Stephenson, league sources tell @The Vertical.
Adam Zagoria: The Pacers have signed Lance Stephenson for 3 years, third with a Player Option, source tells ZAGSBLOG. pic.twitter.com/1ypSEgm5Se
Chris Haynes: ESPN Sources: Minnesota Timberwolves will allow second 10-day contract of Lance Stephenson to expire and he’ll become a free agent.
Chris Haynes: Minnesota Timberwolves to sign wing Lance Stephenson to a second 10-day contract on Wednesday, league sources tell ESPN.
Lance Stephenson’s ankle is getting close to being healed, which means a decision is looming for the Wolves. Stephenson, signed to a 10-day contract Feb. 8, played in four games before the injury against Cleveland Feb. 14. He has been rehabbing ever since. The Wolves can sign him to another 10-day contract or for the season once he’s healthy, if they so choose. Thibodeau said such a decision would come in the next day or two.
Newly signed Wolves guard Lance Stephenson has a Grade 2 ankle sprain sustained Wednesday night against Cleveland, an injury that complicates the future here for a guy whose 10-day contract will expire after tonight’s game in Denver. “I don’t know, we’ll have to see how responds,” Wolves coach and POBO Tom Thibodeau said pre-game tonight. “I like the things he did when he was here.”
Jerry Zgoda: Thibs said pregame @Lance Stephenson’s sprained ankle is a grade 2, uncertain how it’ll affect re-signing him, likes what he has added
Lance Stephenson to Minnesota
Shams Charania: Lance Stephenson is signing a 10-day contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, league sources tell The Vertical.
Aside from an impressive showing by Farmar on Wednesday, there was a practical side to Cleveland’s interest. According to a source, Farmar is open to signing a 10-day contract — as is Lance Stephenson — while a league source told ESPN that both Mario Chalmers and Kirk Hinrich would agree to join the team only if the Cavs tendered a guaranteed contract for the rest of the season.
Jordan Farmar on Cavs' radar after workout
Jordan Farmar impressed the Cavs during their free-agent tryout for point guards Wednesday, a source said, and the 30-year-old former Laker may be under consideration for a contract. The Cavs brought in Farmar, Mario Chalmers, and Kirk Hinrich for a workout, with the idea of potentially signing one as the veteran backup to Kyrie Irving the franchise has looked for all season. Also attending was Lance Stephenson, a wing player.
As of last night, a source said the Cavs weren’t sure if they would sign one of the four players immediately or by March 1, the deadline for free agents to eligible for the playoffs. But the Cavs have had an open roster spot for more than three weeks, and as of now only have 11 healthy bodies. Any of the four could be the choice, but it appears Farmar acquitted himself well.
LeBron James says he supports the Cleveland Cavaliers’ creative solution to the dearth of playmakers on their roster by holding a midseason free-agent minicamp Wednesday, but he did not favor one candidate over another. Cleveland will welcome free-agent guards Mario Chalmers, Kirk Hinrich and Jordan Farmar, as well as forward Lance Stephenson, for a workout Wednesday afternoon.
Stephenson was an instigator on those Indiana Pacers teams that the Heat faced in the playoffs for three consecutive postseasons, from 2012 to 2014, and he gained notoriety for his antics to try to get under James’ skin, including blowing in the superstar’s ear during game play. Stephenson averaged 9.7 points, 4.8 assists and 3 rebounds for the New Orleans Pelicans in six games this season before needing groin surgery, causing the Pelicans to cut him in November because of roster constraints. Would James have a problem teaming up with his former foe? “I just want to win, man,” James said. “That’s all that matters to me. I got no personal problems with nobody.”
Cavaliers to work out three veteran guards
After a 7-8 underwhelming January record, reinforcements could be on the way for LeBron James and the defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers. Veteran point guards Mario Chalmers and Kirk Hinrich, along with wing Lance Stephenson are scheduled to work out for the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday in hopes of inking a deal, league sources informed ESPN.
There are a few other free agent prospects that are expected to attend the session as well, sources say. Depending on how well the participants perform, sources with knowledge of the Cavaliers’ thinking believe one of them could be signed prior to the All-Star break. The workout session is being assembled as a precursor to potentially addressing the organizations’ lack of playmaking and spot point guard needs.
Chris Haynes: ESPN Sources: Free agent Lance Stephenson ahead of schedule in recovery from groin tear. Barring setback, could be ready for return mid-Jan.
Lance Stephenson was a “model citizen” in his time with the Pelicans, team sources say. As covered Monday when they waived the injured Stephenson to make room to sign Archie Goodwin, team officials didn’t want to release him but felt they had no alternative with only 11 healthy players and no clear path to a hardship waiver to add a 16th player because Jrue Holiday was out for personal reasons as opposed to an outright injury.
Pelicans waive Lance Stephenson
The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that the team has waived guard Lance Stephenson. Stephenson, 6-5, 230, was originally signed by New Orleans on Sept. 14. In six games this season, Stephenson has averaged 9.7 points, 4.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 27.0 minutes per game.
Pelicans open to re-signing Lance Stephenson
Marc Stein: Since Jrue Holiday is away from the team for personal reasons, not outright injury, New Orleans’ case for a hardship waiver is not automatic
Matt Barnes: So my man Lance Stephenson busts his ass for the Pelicans, gets hurt, requires surgery & what does he get for his hard work??? WAIVED SMFH Something fans have to understand is y’all get mad when players leave during free agency or hold out for money.. We have to do what’s best for US, we have a small window to make as much money as we can.. Remember this is a BUSINESS when you can no longer serve your purpose these teams cut you trade you or bury you on the bench! Case in point, Lance gets hurt playing & needs surgery now, so instead of supporting him & helping him get healthy they cut him! #Bullshit #HoldYaHeadLilBro
Lance Stephenson, 26, will undergo surgery for a groin injury and is expected to be sidelined six-to-10 weeks, sources said. He joined the Pelicans on a partially guaranteed contract for training camp and played well as a reserve guard this season.
Pelicans to waive Lance Stephenson?
Shams Charania: Pelicans plan to waive Lance Stephenson to create roster space for Goodwin, league sources tell The Vertical.
The New Orleans Pelicans today announced that the team has signed free agent guard Lance Stephenson. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Pelicans signing Lance Stephenson
Shams Charania: Free agent Lance Stephenson has agreed to a deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, league source tells The Vertical.
Free-agent swingman Lance Stephenson still is without an NBA home, and though New Orleans’ roster is stocked, the Pelicans on Monday took a look. A league source said the Pelicans held a workout Monday for Stephenson, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound 25-year-old who played 43 games for the Los Angeles Clippers and 26 for the Memphis Grizzles last season.
Lance Stephenson to New Orleans?
Brett Dawson: Free agent Lance Stephenson will work out for the Pelicans, league source says.
Mike Mazzeo: Nothing going on with Lance Stephenson and the Nets
Playing overseas an option for Lance Stephenson?
One free agent who may have to head overseas is Lance Stephenson, whose option was not picked up by Memphis. It’s uncertain why the Grizzlies passed on Stephenson, who averaged 14.2 points and shot 47.4 percent from the field in 26 games after he was acquired from the Clippers. Stephenson has enough talent to help a contender, but the question is whether his quirky personality has scared off teams. Also still remaining on the free agent market: Josh Smith, Chase Budinger, Kevin Martin, Ty Lawson, Shane Larkin, J.J. Hickson, Cleanthony Early, and Jason Thompson.
March 7, 2021 | 5:08 pm EST Update
Blake Griffin expected to sign with Nets
Shams Charania: Blake Griffin has cleared free agency waivers and the six-time NBA All-Star is expected to sign with the Brooklyn Nets, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
Justin Kubatko: Zion Williamson is the fourth-youngest player in history to be named an NBA All-Star (age in years-days on day of game): 19-169 – Kobe Bryant, 1998 20-052 – LeBron James, 2005 20-173 – Magic Johnson, 1980 20-244 – Williamson, 2021 20-266 – Kevin Garnett, 1997
Ahead of Sunday night’s All-Star Game, Paul George talked about what he’s seen from teammate Terance Mann so far this season and explained why he sees a younger version of himself in the 24-year-old swingman. “I’m one of T-Mann’s biggest fans,” George said. “I just love the kid. He reminds me of myself so much coming into the league… Just a kid and a player that can do just about everything on the floor.
Paul George: “He’s a strong kid, strong body, he’s very mature for his age, he’s a hard worker, and he just leaves it on the floor… I see so many similarities in myself in him that I went through on shooting the ball confidently because I was in those same situations… I think he’s gonna be in this league very long, and he has a really good chance to become a really, really, really good player in this league.”
Prior to the 2021 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Curry was asked if he could see any comparisons between he and EuroLeague legend Juan Carlos Navarro. It’s clear Curry has turned on his tape before. “I played against him one time in international basketball and seen a lot of film,” Curry said Sunday to reporters. “His creativity, his shot selection, his rhythm on the floor — it jumps off the screen when you play against him. I’ve seen him take the one-footed 3s and the way he moved all around the floor, I learned a little of what I could implement into my game. I’ve tried the one-foot 3s a couple time, made a couple.”
TNT’s 2021 NBA All-Star Game coverage will open with a special conversation between Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP Harris) and award-winning actor Michael B. Jordan (@michaelb4jordan) at 8 p.m. ET. The two discuss how the VP’s time at Howard University shaped her career, her love of basketball and the need to remain vigilant to stop the spread of COVID-19 and promote the efficacy of the vaccine.
