Lance Stephenson's best seasons in the NBA have all come with the Indiana Pacers. In 2013-14, he set career highs in points (13.2), rebounds (7.2), and assists (4.6) per game while playing for the blue and gold. In 2021-22, he averaged 9.3 points and 3.9 assists per game for the Pacers at age 31. Both of those numbers are above his career averages.
Stephenson is a fan favorite in Indiana for that reason. His on-court antics and solid play have made him popular over the years, and he has had three different stints with the franchise.
Right now, though, Stephenson is out of the NBA. The 2022-23 season was the third full campaign that he didn't play in since being drafted in 2010, and he most recently played for Leones de Ponce in Puerto Rico.
Despite his success with the blue and gold and his hopes to get back into the NBA, Stephenson told the New York Post that he hopes his next stop in the association will be with either of the teams based in the New York area.
"I think it is time for a New York team. I want to play for the [Brooklyn] Nets or the Knicks, either one would do," Stephenson said in a story published by Tashara Jones. The Brooklyn native has played for many teams, but never the Knicks or Nets.
"I feel like I did enough for people to remember me and know me as one of the top players that played in New York. I feel like I am just New York," Stephenson told Jones.
For his career, the 32-year old has averaged 8.6 points and 2.9 assists per game. His defense has been solid for most of his time as a pro, and he has 57 playoff appearances in his career. All but four of them came with Indiana.
Stephenson and Jones also discussed street ball and the veteran guard's short stint in Puerto Rico. The former Pacer thinks he can make it back into the league with hard work, though he knows that there is a lot of talent in the NBA. It will be a difficult task, but he did it last season.
"There is a lot of great players. So for me not to be in the NBA right now it is ok because I know it is just another chance," he said. The entire interview can be read here.
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