The New York Knicks might be among teams interested in adding the service of Lance Stephenson, who is reportedly available on the trading block after one month with the Charlotte Hornets.
There's nothing much difference between now and last season for the Knickerbockers, as the struggle continue to this year's campaign under the tutelage of new head coach Derek Fisher.
The Knicks now dropped five consecutive games and seven of their last eight games, putting them in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference standings. Worse, Carmelo Anthony has been dealing back problems that kept him out for the past few games. According to sources, Melo's back injury could linger towards the end of the season, limiting the Knicks star to perform at a high level.
There's no doubt the Knicks front-office, headed by vice president for basketball operations Phil Jackson, really wanted to get rid of their burdensome contract and start adding talents that fit the triangle offense.
However, the team is already above the salary cap, no thanks to big contracts of Andrea Bargnani and Amar'e Stoudemire. The Knicks seemed to have no option but to wait until these contracts expire, all until this opportunity comes out of nowhere.
Stephenson, who signed a three-year, $27 million deal in the offseason, has been miserable through his first month with the Hornets. In spite putting up 5.4 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game, his scoring average of 9.6 point per 33 minutes a game and 37 percent field goal shooting are simply unacceptable for an offensively-challenged Hornets squad that ranked 26th in the league at 93.6 points per game.
Zach Lowe of Grantland reported that the Hornets are already trying to deal all of players on its roster - except cornerstones Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson. Stephenson's name is the most enticing player available because he's still coveted as an outstanding young prospect with top-notch perimeter defense.
The Knicks are one of several teams being monitored as potential suitors for the service of Stephenson, whom analysts think a perfect fit for the triangle offense. According to Evan Massey of Sports Illustrated affiliated website Fan Sided, the Knicks could offer Jr Smith, Iman Shumpert, Tim Hardaway Jr or even Andrea Bargnani since the Hornets are looking for upgrades at the shooting guard and power forward position (stretch four).
Stephenson would be a nice second star to play alongside Anthony because of his willingness to create scoring opportunities for his teammates along with excellent defense which the Knicks desperately need right now.
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