Lance Stephenson to LAC

[tazzmaniac]

Maybe for a team like the Boston Celtics this would be a chance to take on Stephenson, but losing two rotation players for a chance on Stephenson for LA?

Stephenson needs the ball in his hands to be effective, but so does Paul and to a lesser extent Griffin. That team needs a wing who can shoot and spread the floor around the non-spacing bigs of Griffin and Jordan. Hell, Stephenson might be a worse shooter than Barnes. Adding another high-paid, non-shooting, ball-dominant guy and losing decently paid depth is not the direction they should be heading.

The Clippers aren't winning the west with Hawes and Barnes.  If Stephenson gets back close to his Indiana production, this trade would be a steal.  With his last year being a team option, there is not much risk.  With their cap situation, they don't have a lot of options.

With Stepheson an erratic shooter who needs the ball in his hands to be effective and combined with his unpredictable personality, this could hurt the Clippers.

If it doesn't work out, they won't pick up Stephenson's option year but they still benefit by dumping Hawes (saves 11.7 mil over two years).   

[Onslaught]

I live in Charlotte. I'm happy that head case is gone.

[FreddieJ]

Maybe for a team like the Boston Celtics this would be a chance to take on Stephenson, but losing two rotation players for a chance on Stephenson for LA?

Stephenson needs the ball in his hands to be effective, but so does Paul and to a lesser extent Griffin. That team needs a wing who can shoot and spread the floor around the non-spacing bigs of Griffin and Jordan. Hell, Stephenson might be a worse shooter than Barnes. Adding another high-paid, non-shooting, ball-dominant guy and losing decently paid depth is not the direction they should be heading.

Hawes and contract are garbage

[Mencius]

If it doesn't work out, they won't pick up Stephenson's option year but they still benefit by dumping Hawes (saves 11.7 mil over two years).

Not only that, but if he doesn't work out, they can trade his waive-able 9M contract next summer for an asset to some team looking to dump salary, and being capped out, they had few options for picking up talent.  This gives them another one. 

There's some risk picking up a headcase, but salary-wise, this is a good move by the Clips, and if he does work out, he's a better than average player.

[Future Celtics Owner]

Now that they got rid of Lance do you think they would be more open to trading their pick for Bradley?  They need good d and outside shooting. I think this is def a good thing for us.

[Ogaju]

GM Doc thinning out that team depth even more.

Doc is a poor GM and should stick to coaching....

His coaching is nothing to write home about either, he is just a front running attention wh_re that is going to ruin the LA Clippers. Not that the Clippers have a lot of ruining to do. He just is not smart enough to run the business side and basketball side as well as coach the team. He is just not. Wait until the Lakers get their act together and start thumping the Clippers, Rivers will be angling to go across the hall to the real LA.

[Finkelskyhook]

lol...... Smart move based on Rivers' iconic talent for dealing with talented head cases.