One of the more entertaining players in recent NBA history is making his return to the league.
Lance Stephenson is back in the NBA ... he'll be getting a 10-day hardship deal with the Hawks, league sources say.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 21, 2021
In short order @jasonterry31-coached @NBAGrandRapids sends @isaiahthomas, @NStauskas11 and now @StephensonLance all back to the league. https://t.co/C0qLIGsgoG
The Hawks have been relatively fortunate as far as the number of players entering the league's COVID-19 health and safety protocols -- just one as of Monday afternoon -- but the single guy not currently with the team is All-Star point guard Trae Young.
Stephenson meanwhile, hasn't played in an NBA contest since the 2018-2019 season, when he suited up for the Los Angeles Lakers in 68 games. Since debuting during the 2010-2011 campaign, Stephenson has spent parts of six seasons with the Indiana Pacers, as well as parts of one season with the Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves and New Orleans Pelicans.
For his career, the 31-year-old has averaged 8.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 23.4 minutes per game over 508 contests. Stephenson has a career .444/.315/.685 shooting line.
Stephenson's best season came in 2013-2014, when he set career-highs in points (13.8), rebounds (7.2), assists (4.6) and minutes per game (35.3), and shot a career-best 49.1% from the field.
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