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?
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?
Next: Pro
Pro: Offensive Versatility
Lance Stephenson is unlikely to win a scoring title in the NBA, but he can put up points in a hurry. He’s one of the more versatile players you’ll come across, even if he doesn’t have a true go-to skill or move.
In Jeff Hornacek‘s offense, it’s certainly conceivable that Stephenson could be the ultimate X-Factor for the second unit.
Though he’s better at shooting guard, he’s a gifted enough playmaker to spot minutes at point guard. That won’t be necessary if New York remains healthy, but both Brandon Jennings or Derrick Rose have injury concerns.
For what it’s worth, Stephenson has solid career averages of 4.3 assists and 2.5 turnovers per 36 minutes.
As a scorer, Stephenson can take his man off the bounce, shoot off the catch, and make plays in transition. He’s erratic, but when on his game, Stephenson can score in every phase—including when he posts his man up.
If Phil Jackson can work his Zen Master magic, and coach Hornacek can control Stephenson’s inconsistencies, he can flourish in New York.
Next: Con
Con: Wild Inconsistency
The good news about Lance Stephenson is that his energy and effort aren’t being called into question. Even during his disastrous tenure with the Charlotte Hornets, his coaching staff had positive things to say about him.
The bad news about Stephenson is that he’s one of the most unpredictably inconsistent players in the NBA.
Stephenson can flick the switch from dominant slashing to inconsistent shooting without a moment’s notice. His streakiness knows no bounds, and he often attempts to shoot his way out of trouble.
Beyond the shot attempts, however, is Stephenson’s tendency to over-dribble and stop ball movement for unadvised drives to the basket.
The New York Knicks have crossed this path before with shooting guard J.R. Smith. Smith had his down moments, but he also won Sixth Man of the Year in 2012-13 when head coach Mike Woodson tapped into his potential.
Stephenson is always looking to make something happen, but sometimes, he needs to settle down and find control.
Next: Pro
Pro: New York State of Mind
Lance Stephenson is more than just an enigmatic figure who could potentially help the New York Knicks. He’s more than just a former Indiana Pacers star and Memphis Grizzlies stat-sheet-stuffer who has proven himself capable on the court.
Stephenson, a Brooklyn native, is the highest scoring men’s high school basketball player in New York State history.
Playing in New York City is one of the most difficult tasks a player can face in professional sports. Whether it’s the Knicks, Yankees, Mets, or Rangers, the New York media is nothing short of relentless.
With Stephenson, he’s faced the distractions before and endured the true hardships of living in New York.
By signing Stephenson, the Knicks would certainly improve the hype machine within New York City itself. More importantly, it’d land a player who’s proven himself in front of New York City crowds—for all of their virtues and vices.
This may not be a determining factor, but it’s imperative to note that Stephenson is one of the greatest players in the history of New York high school basketball.
Next: Con
Con: 3-Point Shooting
In 2013-14, Lance Stephenson made a career-high 86 3-point field goals on 35.2 percent shooting from the field. In 2014-15, he converted just 18 3-point field goals in 61 games on 17.1 percent shooting.
Though he shot an efficient 38.5 percent from distance in 2015-16, he made just 30 3-point field goals in 69 games.
Stephenson’s inconsistency from 3-point range may not be a problem for every team, but for the New York Knicks, it is. New York already has a ball-dominant guard who struggles with his 3-point jump shot in point guard Derrick Rose.
Adding another player who erratically converts the 3-ball would likely complicate Jeff Hornacek’s rotations.
It’s encouraging to know that Stephenson has been an efficient scorer and shooter in the past. Recent trends aren’t in his favor, however, and there’s no telling if 2013-14 was a mirage or an accurate depiction of what he can do.
Signing Stephenson would have its merits, but it would also come with the knowledge that two of the Knicks’ featured guards have struggled to space the floor.
Next: Pro
Pro: The System
Jeff Hornacek’s system provides playmaking guards with room for interpretation. It also has a defined role for every one of the players on the court, which is the perfect combination of responsibility and freedom.
For a player like Lance Stephenson, who’s both positively and negatively unpredictable, Hornacek’s system could be the perfect fit.
When attacking off the bounce, Stephenson can use his size, strength, and athleticism to get past any defender. He has a troubling tendency to lose control of the ball on the drive, however, and that leads to both turnovers and ill-advised shot attempts.
Under coach Hornacek, he’d have an easier time with a constant stream of screens and the outlined task of either scoring or facilitating.
As a shooter, Stephenson would have less pull-up jump shots to throw up and more shots off the catch. He’s quite capable of pulling up and shooting, but that’s a dangerous way to live in any era.
If any system can help Stephenson realize his undeniable potential, it’s the triangle offense adaptation that Hornacek will run.
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The question is: should the New York Knicks sign Stephenson? Hit the comments section and let us know!