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Los Angeles Lakers: Lance Stephenson shouldn’t get much playing time

By Jason Reed

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 23: Lance Stephenson #6 of the Indiana Pacers reacts after being called for an offensive foul against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first half of Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs against at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 23, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 23: Lance Stephenson #6 of the Indiana Pacers reacts after being called for an offensive foul against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first half of Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs against at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 23, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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One of the more interesting moves the Los Angeles Lakers made this offseason was signing Lance Stephenson, who may not even play much for LA.

After the Los Angeles Lakers struck gold on signing LeBron James to a four-year, $154 million deal, the team made the head-scratching move of signing veteran Lance Stephenson to a one-year deal.

This would be the start of a trend for the Lakers, who went on to sign veterans Rajon Rondo, Michael Beasley and JaVale McGee to one-year deals. Los Angeles also re-signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope for one year and $12 million.

Even after all of those other moves, signing Lance Stephenson remains the most interesting move the Lakers have made.

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Stephenson does not have a great history with LeBron James and has often been the thorn in James’ side during the NBA Playoffs. James and Stephenson have gotten in quite a few skirmishes due to Stephenson’s chippy nature and perhaps the Lakers were signing Stephenson to keep him off another team in the West.

Stephenson knows exactly what it takes to get in James’ head and push him to the brink. Having that knowledge on another Western Conference team may not be something the Lakers want to happen.

However, signing Stephenson and using a roster spot on him just so another team is unclear. In fact, it is unclear what his role might actually be next season. Perhaps he can be the team troublemaker, come in for a few minutes here and there and upset someone like Draymond Green.

It is just an idea but that is what Stephenson is great at. If that is not Stephenson’s role on the Lakers, it is hard seeing him getting any minutes in any capacity.

Los Angeles is simply too talented to give Stephenson a good amount of minutes and he does not have the proper skill set to come in for eight to ten minutes and really make a difference unless that difference is causing chaos.

There are the obvious players that will get playing time at shooting guard or small forward, which is where Stephenson will see time. Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Josh Hart are those four.

Initially, Stephenson seemed like he would get decent minutes as Kuzma would have to double duty between small and power forward. However, with Michael Beasley on the roster, the Lakers are going to need less of Kuzma at the four.

This rotation does still leave a handful of minutes, about eight to 10, for someone to see time at shooting guard, small forward or both. However, it really should not be Stephenson.

Instead, someone like Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk would be much better in this limited minutes role as he could actually make things happen off the bench. He could come in and knock down two or three three-point shots a game to shift the tide of the contest.

Stephenson, on the other hand, is much less reliable from the three-point line and does not bring much of a scoring presence. Using him late in games as a defensive stopper is an option but that is about as far as his worth may extend in the box score.

Next. Joakim Noah a good option for open roster spot. dark

When it comes to minutes, the farthest that might extend could be six to eight, at best. The bottom line: Lance Stephenson is not going to see much time on the court for the Los Angeles Lakers. I would be surprised if he makes it the entire season in LA.

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