Nuggets Rumors: Denver Nuggets should not bite on Hornets SG Lance Stephenson

The Denver Nuggets have been reportedly linked to Charlotte Hornets shooting guard Lance Stephenson as the guard so-happened to become trade eligible Monday afternoon.. According to ESPN, the Hornets are ‘exploring options’ to move the guard. The report would later go onto say that “no trade is imminent” but the speculation will continue to swirl.

Charlotte has a good cast led by Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson, but lack one more scorer that can put them over the top and make them legitimate contenders in the Eastern Conference. Sure they have a way to go, but Wilson Chandler could be a player that could provide scoring and shoulder the load from Walker and Jefferson. I’m not saying Wilson will be a guy to average 20+ points for Charlotte, but he’ll give them a better chance to win.

Chandler, 27, has been a reliable source of offense this season for the 10-14 Denver Nuggets. Over the past five games, Chandler has averaged 17.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 0.8 steals per contest. Chandler, over a span of 24 games this season, is averaging 14.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists.

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The Lance Stephenson experiment in Charlotte is looking like a dud from the reports. Stephenson has been viewed as a locker room cancer and hasn’t lived up to his potential. Over 23 games played, Stephenson is averaging 10.4 points, 5.0 assists, and 7.2 rebounds – recording a PER (Player Efficiency Rating) of just 10.58 according to ESPN.

Denver has reportedly shown interest in the shooting guard which makes sense due to the fact that head coach Brian Shaw was an assistant for the Indiana Pacers when Stephenson was there. Stephenson is known as a solid defender but not the most-gifted on offense. Lance signed a three-year, $27-million deal in the offseason with Charlotte, but his third year of the deal is not guaranteed. Denver lacks a closer – someone to close out games, and Stephenson definitely doesn’t fit that mold. Denver already has Arron Afflalo and a developing Gary Harris.

I like Stephenson’s game, but don’t necessarily think he’s what the Nuggets need. Plus the reports of Stephenson being a locker room cancer only concerns me due to the fact that Denver doesn’t have leader(s) on their team.