The Miami Heat need to steer clear from Lance Stephenson this offseason.
How is it that blowing in LeBron James’ ear is the greatest thing to come of Lance Stephenson’s NBA legacy?
The official start of the NBA’s free agency period is mere days away, leaving time for theory-crafting and speculation over potential signings. Stephenson is but one fish in the free agent ocean, hoping to push his ride-or-die brand of franchise loyalty to the next team willing to give him a chance.
Stephenson’s charisma is a worthy trait. He endeared himself to the Indiana Pacers twice in his 27 years on the planet, due in part to his gritty work ethic and willingness to drown in the spotlight.
Indiana’s best seasons since the Reggie Miller-sending-the-choke-signal-to-Spike-Lee days included Stephenson. Though they ended in defeat at the hands of Miami, Stephenson will forever hold a special place in NBA history as a player capable of turning entire arenas into his most ardent fans or enthusiastic enemies.
But that doesn’t mean Miami should sign him.
He might be cheap, but…
For the first time in his eight-season career, Stephenson played a full slate of 82 games. After bouncing around five teams between 2014 and 2017, the Pacers brought Stephenson back to the team that drafted him, going as far as waiving guard Rodney Stuckey to make roster room.
Stephenson is entering his prime years according to conventional wisdom, but his tumultuous, team-hopping history isn’t likely to produce a huge contract. The Pacers declined his team option one year and three months after ushering him home, as if to say “welp, we had a good run, didn’t we Lance”?
Miami might be enticed by the possibility of locking him down in a short-term, low cost deal, which could work nicely for a piggy bank stretched thin. But the fact that his most played team pushed Stephenson aside, should be enough to give the Heat pause to a potential signing.
In 2017, when Stephenson rejoined the Pacers for his second coming, reports surfaced of his greatness as a teammate. In a way, he is infected with Draymond Green-itis, a disease also known as “love him when he’s on your team” syndrome.
"“It’s fun being his teammate, Myles Turner told the Indy Star last November, “but I would hate playing against him.” He continued, “Playing with a guy like that gases me up, gets me going,” the Pacers center said after practice Tuesday at St. Vincent’s Center. “But he would (tick) me off if I was playing against him. He’d frustrate me, you know, when he bumps you or pushes you or tries to get in your head.”"
These claims run counter to incidents during Stephenson’s stints outside of Indianapolis. Playing for the Charlotte Hornets in 2014, team officials claimed he “clashed with teammates,” with Stephenson having difficulty in finding his Indy spark.
The man himself even addressed his difficulty in playing elsewhere, putting the onus on constraints on the hardwood, fashioned by teams not named the Pacers.
"“Some teams, I’d only get three dribbles, or I’d have to stand in the corner,” Stephenson said. ” “Pacers coaches let me be myself. They don’t guard me or tell me not to do stuff. If I play freely, if coaches let me play the game, you’ll see the talent in me.”"
Whether the problem is Stephenson or his teams is a worthwhile debate, though common denominators tend to win out in NBA personnel situations.
Check the stat books
Even if Miami were convinced they could prompt an attitudinal change in Stephenson, his performances suggest otherwise. According to NBA.com tracking, Stephenson’s box scores are divergent when clocking in for work at home, versus away games.
Last season, Stephenson’s 10.7 points per game on 33.3 percent shooting from 3 sank to a dismal 7.7 points on 22.7 percent from deep when on the road. His advanced metrics in the most recent playoffs post a similar snapshot. Stephenson boasted a 10.4 net rating through three home contests at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indiana, compared to a near-mirrored -10.5 in four on the road.
For a team that has struggled to find a consistent offensive solution like Miami both in the regular season and the playoffs, that difference is astronomical.
Stephenson plays at the mercy of his own swagger. At his best he’s a compelling athlete, capable of freestyling his way to the rim and beyond.
But when the swag shuts off, Stephenson is often left staring into the abyss, draped in disbelief at the sound of a referee whistle.
At this juncture in Miami Heat history, the team needs consistency. Stephenson can offer that, albeit at a discount price that includes questioning, finger-pointing and poor team chemistry.
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Miami can full well take a chance on Stephenson, but history can make a case his signing is not in their favor.