Lance Stephenson is slowly become one of the more marquee players preparing to hit the free agent market this offseason. The guard has the size and stats that is garnering plenty of attention. While the Indiana Pacers would ideally like to retain him with a long-term deal this offseason, the Chicago Bulls are making their push and Stephenson is listening.
According to Joe Cowely of the Chicago Sun-Times, there is mutual interest between the Bulls and Stephenson regarding his upcoming status as an unrestricted free agent. The fourth-year player is currently very underpaid, working off a $981,349 salary in the final year of his contract and Chicago would ideally like to up that pay a bit.
Stephenson would be a solid fit for the Bulls and very attainable over someone like Carmelo Anthony or LeBron James. Right now, he is putting up career-best numbers in every category as the Indiana Pacers lead the Eastern Conference. Stephenson is averaging 13.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, shooting 49.5 percent from the field. He has also been a reliable triple-double machine.
The Bulls are well-aware that in order to contend for a title next season, size will be needed. Stephenson brings solid shooting to the team while providing a great deal of size to face James and the rest of the Pacers roster. Jimmy Butler would be able to return to the small forward spot while Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah resume their standard positions.
The Pacers will not go down without a fight. Basketball Insider reports the Pacers are prepared to offer as much as $8 to $9 million per season for the guard. Interest from the Bulls could drive that number to upwards of $11 million with the competition in free agency. The issue will be the luxury tax line. The Bulls are currently under that line after trading away Luol Deng. If they intend to stay that way, someone else might have to go. Carlos Boozer could be the odd man out as the Bulls have already toyed with the idea of using their amnesty clause on the veteran.
Stephenson might be just a Plan B for the Bulls. The Sun-Times is also noting that the team still remains hopeful that the return of a healthy Rose would be enough to lure in James or Anthony. They intend to sign at least one big name after two-straight disappointing seasons.
