The Minnesota Timberwolves have found a temporary replacement for Zach Lavine: Lance Stephenson.
After Lavine went down with a season-ending ACL injury, Shams Charania of The Vertical reports the Timberwolves have signed the Stephenson to a 10-day contract.
Lance Stephenson is signing a 10-day contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, league sources tell The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 7, 2017
Stephenson’s career has been full of ups-and-downs.
The 26-year-old was one of the league’s most polarizing players as a member of the Indiana Pacers, where he put up near All-Star numbers. After signing with the Charlotte Hornets, his production declined sharply, and he bounced to the Clippers and then Grizzlies last season. In 2016-17, Stephenson appeared to find a new home with the New Orleans Pelicans, averaging nearly 10 points, five assists, and three rebounds. However, six games into the season a groin injury forced New Orleans to waive him.
Fully healthy, Stephenson is coming into a T-Wolves organization desperate for guard depth. With LaVine on the shelf for the rest of the season, Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau has been forced to use Brandon Rush and Tyus Jones for extended minutes. While both players are arguably rotation-caliber guards, neither can replace what LaVine brought to the table. Stephenson won’t emulate LaVine’s nearly 20+ point per game production, but he’s got starting experience and is a crafty veteran who can help the team in multiple ways if his head is on straight. Stephenson may not ever be as productive as he was with the Pacers, but he’s still a legit NBAer with a unique, versatile skillset. At the very least, he’ll provide much-needed depth.
The Timberwolves are on the outside looking in in the Western Conference playoff race. At 19-32, fighting for the eight seed won’t be easy, but they’re not DOA. Stephenson will help improve depth. He might not last more than 10 days, but he’ll get the chance to slot in alongside Andrew Wiggins and Karl Anthony-Towns. It’s a great opportunity.
Stephenson will get another chance in a new city to prove he belongs. There’s little doubt he’s got the ability to be an effective player, but he hasn’t been able to find an NBA home. Maybe, the pact with Minnesota is the start of a new chapter in Stephenson’s unpredictable career. Or, he could be cut later this month.
Epic!