NBA Free Agency 2014 News & Updates: Lakers Add Power Forward, Lance Stephenson and Rashard Lewis Join New Clubs
In what Kobe Bryant refuses to call a rebuilding period, the Los Angeles Lakers missed out the big name free agents they were looking for on Wednesday, when they settled for reserve power forward Ed Davis.
Davis has agreed to a two-year, $2 million contract, which includes a player option for the 2015-16 season. The 13th pick in the 2010 NBA draft, Davis spent his first 2 ½ season with Toronto before being shipped to Memphis in a package that included Rudy Gay.
He averaged 7.7 points and 6.8 rebounds as a Raptor, but never found his groove in the Western Conference, maintaining 5.5 points and 4.2 rebounds in just over 15 minutes per game with the Grizzlies.
The move comes days after Los Angeles re-signed Nick Young and traded for point guard Jeremy Lin.
With Pau Gasol off their books, the Lakers have money to spend. Unfortunately, they may have to wait until next off-season as their initial targets, including Carmelo Anthony and Lebron James, have signed elsewhere.
Former Indiana Pacer and well-known ear-blower Lance Stephenson is heading to Charlotte. The free agent guard takes a three-year contract that has him earning $9 million over the next two years. Stephenson will receive a $3 million bump if his third-year option is picked up.
Stephenson was vital to the Pacers, making two straight conference finals appearances. He scored a career-high 13.5 points per game last season, along with 7.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game.
Indiana's five-year, $44 million was rebuffed, forcing them to look elsewhere. Late Wednesday, they agreed to one-year deal with shooting guard Rodney Stuckey.
The long-time Detroit Piston averaged 13.9 points last season but shot himself out of a job. Stuckey shot 27 percent from three-point range and just over 43 from the field. Detroit brought in Jodie Meeks, D.J. Augustin, and recently signed deep threat Caron Butler, making Stuckey the odd man out.
Miami just lost another piece of their championship puzzle. Veteran power forward Rashard Lewis joins Dallas on a one-year contract.
Lewis averaged 4.5 points in 16.2 minutes per game in his 16th NBA season. The two-time all-star stepped up his game during the playoffs averaging 5.3 points per while shooting 37 percent from downtown.
The 34-year-old isn't going to match a career-average 14.9 points per, but can be a decent bench option. Dallas' aims to have Lewis spell Dirk Nowitzki in preparing for another playoff run. Lewis should be a dependable shooter in limited playing time.