NBA Rumors: Chicago Bulls Mull Over Lance Stephenson Trade; Jimmy Butler, Rajon Rondo Reject Grizzlies Star

By Mitch de Leon
Lance Stephenson
Lance Stephenson is a serious rebounder. Indy Star

The Chicago Bulls are building a roster ready to take on LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference in the next NBA season. With the addition of Dwyane Wade from the Miami Heat and Rajon Rondo from the Sacramento Kings to the Jimmy Butler squad, Nikola Mirotic and his crew are now becoming certified title contenders. To further improve the talent in their roster, the Chicago Bulls are said to be mulling over a Lance Stephenson contract this NBA offseason.

The 25-year-old free agent was last seen with the Memphis Grizzlies. After failing to match the expectations set for him in the Charlotte Hornets, wherein he was supposed to be as influential as superstars Nicolas Batum and Kemba Walker, a Lance Stephenson trade to the Matt Barnes team eventually pushed through. To make matters worse for the former Los Angeles Clippers star, the Memphis Grizzlies opted not to re-sign him this NBA offseason.

"It was a rare instance when a player "betting on himself" and opting for a shorter-term contract for less money paid off in the end," said Moke Hamilton of Basketball Insiders. He added, "Not every player is as fortunate. Just ask Lance Stephenson."

With the clock ticking, rumors are rife that Lance Stephenson is getting desperate to be signed in an NBA team. This is where the Chicago Bulls come in. Given the cash it required to sign Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo in the roster, as well as to keep Jimmy Butler, the Gar Forman squad can only offer minimum contracts to free agents. Will Lance Stephenson take it?

"One free agent who may have to head overseas is Lance Stephenson, whose option was not picked up by Memphis," disclosed Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. He added, "It's uncertain why the Grizzlies passed on Stephenson, who averaged 14.2 points and shot 47.4 percent from the field in 26 games after he was acquired from the Clippers. Stephenson has enough talent to help a contender, but the question is whether his quirky personality has scared off teams."

At the moment, the parties concerned have yet to comment on a Lance Stephenson contract this NBA offseason. While fans of the Chicago Bulls are divided over this matter, the Jimmy Butler team remains a possible landing spot for the former Memphis Grizzlies star. Right now though, sources point to the possibility of Lance Stephenson moving outside of the country and testing international teams instead.

Aside from Lance Stephenson, the NBA has few more free agents in need of a team before the regular season starts. The list includes Ty Lawson, Kevin Martin, Cleanthony Early and JJ Hickson.

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