Should the Indiana Pacers bring Lance Stephenson back for a third stint

Why the Indiana Pacers should pursue Lance Stephenson

For some enigmatic reason, Lance Stephenson tends to perform well when donning the Blue and Gold. However, it’s not really rocket science. After all, the 30-year-old barely got any significant role sans his Indiana Pacers tenure.

On that merit alone, bringing back Stephenson, while heavily influenced by familiarity, is worth it. He won’t be banked on as much as in his previous two stints with the team, but in a limited role, he could really flourish as a do-it-all veteran who could be a reliable locker room presence. When injuries arise, he can assume a bigger role while possibly thriving as a secondary outlet to set up the offense and a pesky perimeter defender.

In his last full season with the Lakers in 2018-19, he was only tabbed for a meager 16.5 minutes per game, but he still managed to make the most out of his minutes by logging 7.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per outing. Better yet, he finished that season with a 37.1 percent clip on triples, easily his best in a full campaign.

It’s not game-changing, but Stephenson still has something to give. His abilities may have waned over the years, but given the right role, he could flourish and be beneficial for the team. Not only that, but his familiarity with the organization and postseason experience should bode well for the reeling Pacers.