NBA Rumors: Miami Heat offered a contract to Lance Stephenson
By Sam Richmond
At the time, the Miami Heat didn’t seem too thrilled to be dealing with Lance Stephenson’s crazy antics during the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals. His constant provoking of LeBron James, which included blowing in his ear, culminated in Heat forward Udonis Haslem threatening Stephenson in Game 6.
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But it doesn’t appear Stephenson bothered Miami to the extent that they wouldn’t want him on their team. Yes, that’s right. The Heat offered Stephenson a contract this offseason, according to ESPN’s Dan LeBatard.
Bleacher Report’s Ethan J. Skolnick writes:
"And, as ESPN’s Dan LeBatard reported Wednesday on his radio show on The Ticket in Miami—and Bleacher Report later confirmed—they even inquired about Indiana’s Lance Stephenson, but they weren’t offering nearly as much as the five years and $44 million that Stephenson turned down from the Pacers."
LeBatard clarified on Twitter later how significant of a financial difference there was between Miami’s offer and Stephenson’s desires.
https://twitter.com/LeBatardShow/status/484538959792721921
Given that, it’s hard to imagine this signing coming to fruition. Assuming the Heat re-sign LeBron, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, the team simply is unlikely to have the financial flexibility to make them true contenders for Stephenson.
Still, given all the drama these two parties were involved in with one another not too long ago, it’s fascinating in and of itself that the Heat made Stephenson an offer.
The shooting guard is coming off an excellent season, in which he averaged 13.8 points, 4.6 assists and 7.2 rebounds per game. Even with all the baggage he comes with, he’ll eventually get a pretty sizable payday this summer from somebody, just not Miami.