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Knicks: Pros And Cons Of Potentially Signing Lance Stephenson

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 7, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Lance Stephenson (1) rebounds in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Lance Stephenson (1) rebounds in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Knicks have the opportunity to make a steal of a signing in Lance Stephenson. Should Phil Jackson and Steve Mills pull the trigger?

Mar 7, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Lance Stephenson (1) rebounds in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Lance Stephenson (1) rebounds in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Though the NBA community is aware of his erratic nature, very few expected Lance Stephenson to be a free agent in late August. He has enough raw talent to help a team, albeit with the concerns he undoubtedly faces and presents.

With minimal noise emerging on the Stephenson front, it may behoove the New York Knicks to take a chance by signing him for cheap.

Stephenson first achieved prominence during the 2013-14 season with the Indiana Pacers. He averaged 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.1 3-point field goals made on a slash line of .491/.352/.711.

Unfortunately, the two seasons that have followed haven’t been quite as kind to Stephenson as Indiana was.

Stephenson struggled mightily with the Charlotte Hornets in 2014-15 and had trouble finding court time in 2015-16. He turned things around in Memphis, however, averaging 14.2 points on 47.4 percent shooting.

The question is: should Phil Jackson, Steve Mills, and the Knicks gamble on Stephenson’s untapped potential?

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