Lance Stephenson signs contract to play in China

Lance Stephenson has had some decent seasons as a bench player in the NBA over the past several years, but it would appear there was not much interest in him on the free agent market this offseason.

Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reports that Stephenson has signed a one-year, $4 million deal to play with Liaoning of the Chinese Basketball Association.

Free agent guard Lance Stephenson has reached a one-year, $4 million agreement with Liaoning of the Chinese Basketball Association, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) August 1, 2019

Stephenson averaged 7.2 points and 3.2 rebounds while playing in 68 games with the Los Angeles Lakers last season. They chose not to bring him back after they purged their roster to create a third max slot.

Stephenson is only 28, so it’s certainly possible he could return to the NBA after spending a season overseas. If he brings his “Born Ready Sauce” with him, there’s a good chance he will light it up in the CBA.