JULY 10: The Lakers have officially signed Stephenson, according to a press release from the team.
“It’s incredibly exciting to have Lance join our team,” GM Rob Pelinka said in a statement. “Lance is playoff-tested and will bring a certain edge, confidence and toughness to our roster. His multi-positional versatility and open-court playmaking abilities are key ingredients for the basketball style we designed for next season.”
By signing Stephenson now, the Lakers have elected to use most or all of their remaining cap room to complete his deal, leaving the $4.449MM room exception available for another move.
JULY 1: The Lakers have agreed to a deal with Lance Stephenson, Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports tweets. The 27-year-old swingman and notorious rival of LeBron James will head to Los Angeles after a career-reviving 14-month stint with the Pacers.
The pact, which ESPN’s Chris Haynes reports is worth $4.5MM over one season, will give the Lakers an additional veteran as they gear up to transition from a rebuilding young squad to a genuine Western Conference contender.
[RELATED: LeBron James to sign four-year deal with Lakers]
Stephenson, 27, had his 2018/19 team option turned down by the Pacers after he averaged 9.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 2.9 APG last season, appearing in all 82 games. While his shooting numbers (.427/.289/.661) were all below his career marks, it was still somewhat surprising to see the Pacers let Stephenson go. His option salary would have been $4.36MM, so he’ll get a slight raise on his new deal.
Based on the terms reported by Haynes, it appears the Lakers will use their room exception to sign Stephenson once they’ve used up all their cap room. The room exception is worth $4.449MM for 2018/19.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Hopefully vet minimum
Lebron and him lmaooo
It is hilarious.
Now he can blow in pg 13’s ear HaHa!
so the dude that has given LeBron alot of crap is gonna go play with him??
I’ve always thought of scenario of the two together. I think Lance was at best, an annoyance. I do think LBJ sees the talent in Lance and I think he would make a solid back up when LBJ is on the bench. But he doesn’t fit the narrative that LBJ wants to play with high IQ guys and that ain’t Lance. He’s too emotional but let’s see.
Plus add JaVale now…
Honestly, love this signing if it is the vet min. Great rotation guy especially in the West.
Lmao he bouts to blow in lebron ear the whole game
Better be the minimum. Dude is a good defensive player which I love but that’s about it. I’m thinking a trade is coming. Maybe I’m wrong but just seems like they are stocking up on players.
Like a 3 for 1 type deal you’re thinking? Wonder if C.J. McCollum would be available for a player and a pick.
I think so. Maybe Ingram, Hart or Kuzma, Zubac and some draft picks for Leonard.
I really hope the Lakers just wait a year for Leonard. It’s not worth the young, cheap talent to get him for one season where the Warriors are likely still better.
Or Saric, Covington and 3 firsts for Kawhi.
He’s better offensively than defensively (imo as a Pacers fan). He can distribute, he can run the offense in a pinch, and has decent ability to create his own shot. He also has the ability to hit the occasional outside shot. Also, all these moves are made with an eye to competing against the Warriors. The defensive key is a switch everything lineup. Resigning KCP and signing Stephenson allows them to do that.
Best analysis of this signing so far on any media outlet, writer or otherwise.
I agree . I like when stats are included in the article
Yep, good summary. Especially smart to have lockdown d men (moreso KCP but Lance is a bulldog) only issue is stagnating the second unit as Lance sometimes likes to be like Rafer Alston but I’m sure they can coach him through that now that he’s surrounded by great talent haha
Two years ago Lance was out of the league and nobody wanted him. The Pacers gave him a second chance. The Pacers cut him because their 2nd unit couldn’t hit 3’s. With the Pacers and in Charlotte he hit 29% of his 3’s. That’s why the Pacers, Charlotte, Clippers, Memphis, and Minnesota let him go.
I’m so happy about this!!! I hope it’s the most awkward/amazing partnership ever between Lance and lebron.
Really?
LeBron needs to keep his production company available for practice and games. Lance was a hoot and a fan favorite. His basketball skills didn’t match his comedy act. Can you believe until this past year that Lance was the all time leading scorer in New York state high school basketball history?
More more more
This reminds me of when Kobe said go get Artesr, tired of going against him and theynjoined forces. Now here these guys are together. I love it. LeBron is decent on defense, Stephenson is a defensive player and so is KCP. If Ball is still here here is good on D too. I like what they are doing.
I don’t understand what the Lakers are doing but the KCP signing and Lance signing is a bit fishy. KCP is a 3-D specialist which bodes well with Lebron but Lance? Lakers are getting a package ready for SA.
You think the Spurs want Lance Stephenson?
Yeah because you can sign someone and then immediately trade them in the nba
The Spurs don’t want Lance Stephenson Brother
I think he meant they added Stephenson so they could trade younger talent , or else signing him makes no sense
Brother, you can’t sign someone and then immediately trade him.
1yr 4.5 million
They are about to trade a lot of players for KL, so these signings are roster fillers.
I think they are giving up on KL for this season & doing one yr deals so they have room for next year when he comes. Pop & RC would take them to the cleaners to get KL… Kuz & Ingram plus two picks and Magic cant do that
Makes sense as a playmaker off the bench that they could use
Defensively the Lakers are wayyy better then the Cavs a year ago now with Stevenson and McGee. If they keep Randle and pick up a shooter or 2 at minimum they actually may have a chance
Have a chance to make the #8 spot for the playoffs? Maybe. You need real players. Not one aging star.
Who wins the most Shaqtin-a-fool nominations? Lance or JaVale?
Or watching a lineup of IT, Lance, Ball, James and McGee. This is going to be fun stuff!
Isaiah Thomas doesn’t fit on this team. He needs to be on a mediocre Squad cuz he likes to have the ball in his hands 80% of the time.
Hmmm he’s only 27
Not sure why people are operating under the impression that the Lakers are trying to win it all this year. They got LeBron to sign a 4 year deal. That gives them 4 years. It’s obvious LeBron didn’t sign in LA to win this year. Everything he has said was about his family and living where he wants to live. The Lakers are building a team to compete in the last 2 years of LeBron contract. The guys they signed are on short deals, vets who combined with LeBron will make the playoffs, but don’t really have a shot. Signing guys like lance is how you do that.