NBA Rumors: Timberwolves have interest in Lance Stephenson

Free agent Lance Stephenson is waiting for an NBA team to offer him a contract, and the Minnesota Timberwolves reportedly have some interest.

Lance Stephenson has fallen an awfully long way in the last couple of years. In 2013-14, he led the NBA with five triple-doubles, emerged as an athletic, all-around player and terrific rebounder (albeit a greedy one at times) and key difference maker for the Indiana Pacers in their playoff attempts to get past LeBron James’ Miami Heat.

Now, Stephenson has played for three teams in the last two seasons and is struggling to find a new contract.

On The Lowe Post, discussing a wide range of topics, Zach Lowe asked ESPN’s Marc Stein whether there has been any buzz surrounding the rapidly fallen Lance Stephenson. Unfortunately for Lance, Stein said that a minimum deal could be heading his way:

"“It’s July 28th. If I’ve heard his name three times this month, that’s a lot. I would think someone would eventually take him for the minimum.”"

After reminding themselves of the five-year, $44 million deal that Stephenson unwisely rejected from the Indiana Pacers in 2014, Lowe added that he’s heard of some interest in Stephenson from Minnesota Timberwolves coach and president of basketball operations Tom Thibodeau:

"“I had heard some Thibs-Lance interest, but Minnesota’s at 15 guys [with] guaranteed contracts. Obviously, you can move somebody if you really need to.”"

Lowe also mentioned that Frank Vogel, current head coach of the Orlando Magic and Stephenson’s coach from his Pacers days, loves Lance. However, Lowe said that he doesn’t believe Magic GM Rob Hennigan will want Stephenson on the roster.

So, who could the Timberwolves be willing to move to create space for Lance? Nikola Pekovic, an injury-ridden center who holds almost no value to them after the signings of centers Cole Aldrich and Jordan Hill this summer, could be a possibility. Alternatively, a younger big such as Adreian Payne could be parted with, but whether the Timberwolves can trade such players or they’re willing to waive or buy them out is another issue.

As of right now, it looks like teams aren’t convinced by signing Stephenson, despite his sound performance with the Memphis Grizzlies to close the season (19.2 points, six rebounds, 3.8 assists per 36 minutes and 47.4 percent shooting).

And even if the Timberwolves have some interest, it wouldn’t be surprising if he isn’t their top target to create a roster spot for. They have plenty of guards and primary ball handlers already in point guards Ricky Rubio and rookie Kris Dunn, with their rising star Zach LaVine at the two.

Stein said Stephenson could easily be a player who isn’t signed before the start of the season, and that could very well be the case.

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