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Acquiring Lance Stephenson Is A Great Move For The Clippers

By Myles Andrews-Duve

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NBA trade season appeared to rev up late last week after a trade between the Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons became the first of the premature offseason. The Los Angeles Clippers and Charlotte Hornets have apparently kept it rolling with a reported deal of their own this Monday. According to Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, the Clippers acquired Hornets shooting guard/small forward Lance Stephenson in return for small forward Matt Barnes and big man Spencer Hawes.

With impending unrestricted free agency of center DeAndre Jordan, trading Hawes suggests the team has quiet confidence in being able to retain the first-team All-Defensive center. Meanwhile, as speculated by Basketball Insiders’ Alex Kennedy, perhaps Barnes’ departure gives some insight into some of their other offseason plans:

It was a quick tenure in Charlotte for the 24-year-old Stephenson who signed a 3 year, $27 million deal with the team this past Summer after a breakout 2013-14 campaign for the Indiana Pacers. The volatile Stephenson — whose antics and attitude concerns have been well-documented — was seen as a high-risk, high-reward pickup for Charlotte at the time but the team unfortunately got the shorter end of the deal. After a season in which he led the league in triple-doubles while averaging 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists on 49-percent shooting, Stephenson’s numbers severely plummeted in Charlotte as his averages (8.2, 4.5, 3.9) and minutes (25.8) both signaled an apparent regression and/or a lack of fit.

But let’s face it, the cap-strapped Clippers have long had a dire need on the wing –Hawes’ departure may be an admission of this after the team elected to sign the backup center to a 4-year, $23-millon deal last summer rather than delegating that money elsewhere — and the team made a smart, low-cost move to potentially fill it. Nevertheless, the high-risk, high-reward mantra remains with Stephenson’s arrival. There are concerns about his fit in a tight-knit Clipper locker room and his comfortability in an offense where he will again have to take a backseat.

However, not so fast.

Where Stephenson thrived in Indiana was with the ball in his hands and with the freedom to be himself; if the Clippers are able to reap the rewards of this deal, they will need to provide a similar structure for Lance. Luckily, there shouldn’t be any hesitation in letting Stephenson act as the secondary ball-handler to point guard Chris Paul. If you watched the Clippers last season, it was glaringly obvious that the team struggled to find offensive creators outside of Paul, having to force an ill-suited Blake Griffin to take the reigns as a point forward for the team. While Griffin proved somewhat successful, this method clearly took its toll in the playoffs where Griffin’s high energy and productivity for the first three quarters consistently vanished during the fourth period. With the addition of Stephenson, the team takes less pressure off of Chris Paul to operate as the sole creator on offense while putting Blake into his more natural role as a backdoor cutter and screen-and-pop big man.

May 8, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) controls the ball against the defense of Houston Rockets forward

Terrence Jones

(6) during the first half in game three of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

If I’m the Clippers I am bringing Stephenson and his $9 million contract off the bench as a sixth man in order to allow the offense to flow sans Chris Paul. Many fans may suggest this is a role already well-occupied by former two-time sixth man of the year, Jamal Crawford; however, Crawford’s knack for pull-up threes and inefficient shooting can stall an offense, proving him to be better-suited working as the off-guard. A lot of money for a backup? Maybe so. But Stephenson’s skills as a passer and creator give the Clippers a hell of a lot more offensive flexibility than they’ve had in years previous. And in a league where versatility on offense is evermore necessary, this is definitely a welcome benefit.

The primary concern on that end for the Clippers, who ranked top-three in both three-pointers made and attempted last season, is how Stephenson (career 29% shooter from beyond the arc) affects their floor spacing. As frustrating as the now-departed Barnes and Hawes were to watch at times, both were recognized as threats from the outside and allowed Griffin and Jordan to operate down low. While the sharp-shooting J.J. Redick is still in town, he has yet to play a full season since being traded to the team in 2013 and his age (soon to be 31) quells no concerns about his long-term durability. The Clippers, without a draft pick this year, will need to add shooters through free agency in order to get the most out of Stephenson; with the acquisition of free agent Paul Pierce seeming to be all but a done deal, it appears they’re taking a proper step in that regard.

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Let’s not forget about the other side of the ball. Last I checked, the Clippers remain in the Western Conference, as do Steph Curry, Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard and an entire host of talented guards vast enough to form their own All-Star team. Over the years, with their hole on the wing, the Clippers have lacked a true lockdown defender on the perimeter. Chris Paul is still phenomenal on this end but his versatility remains limited due to his stature. Stephenson’s ability to guard up to three positions with his solid 6’5″, 210 pound frame will be vital to the Clippers’ contention in the West. Also, in case you forgot (how could you?), Stephenson is the infamous “ear-blower” who was unafraid to man up LeBron James in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Yes he’s eccentric, yes there will be some headaches and yes his history as a teammate is checkered but, no question about it, Lance Stephenson plays hard. For the often over-emotional Clippers, his grit on the court and in their locker room could be a blessing. And for what it’s worth, despite a limited role in Charlotte, Stephenson acted as a consummate professional last season; while Clippers coach Doc Rivers has proven to be adept at managing some of the league’s more rigid personalities (see: Rondo, Rajon) during his coaching career. We have seen a change of scenery sometimes be the ultimate motivator for a struggling player and this move could be mutually beneficial, providing the Clippers with a borderline all-star talent (when fully engaged) at the wing while giving Stephenson the opportunity to be a key player on a legitimate contender.

Can the Clippers finally get over the second round hump next year? Too early to tell, but the acquisition of Stephenson is certainly step in the right direction. Get excited, Clipper fans.

Fan of the deal? Not a fan? Don’t quite know what to make of it? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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