Fansided

Lance Stephenson rumors: Chicago Bulls express interest

By Andrew Melnick

May 30, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson (1) wipes his face during a game against the Miami Heat in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson (1) wipes his face during a game against the Miami Heat in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Chicago Bulls are trying to do whatever they can to become a true contender to win an NBA title.

More from Chicago Bulls

Obviously, that starts with getting point guard Derrick Rose back on the court (he was injured in the 2012 postseason after missing 27 games during the regular season, missed the entire 2012-2013 season and played in just 10 games last season because of knee injuries). However, even with Rose, the Bulls were not ready to compete with the truly elite in the NBA. That’s why they are looking for an upgrade. They are in the running for New York Knicks’ free agent forward Carmelo Anthony, but they seem to have fallen behind. They are also interested in Los Angeles Lakers’ free agent Pau Gasol and could be a player for Minnesota Timberwolves’ power forward Kevin Love.

According to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders, the Bulls expressed interest in Indiana Pacers’ guard Lance Stephenson.

For a team in desperate need of offense, taking a risk on Stephenson may not be a terrible idea. Plus, the Bulls would be taking a key player from their biggest competition in the Central Division. Plus, Stephenson wouldn’t require between $16 and $20 million like some of these other players would, meaning they could hang on to key pieces like big man Taj Gibson and swingman Jimmy Butler.

Stephenson averaged 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game this season while shooting 49.1% from the field, 35.2% from beyond the arc and 71.1% from the charity stripe in the regular season. In the postseason, he put up 13.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. He shot 45.5% from the field, 35.8% from downtown and 71.4% from the free throw line. In his four-year career, he has averaged 9.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game while shooting 46.7% from the field, 32.5% from three and 71.1% from the free throw line.

Home/Chicago Bulls