Lance Stephenson to play in G League, hoping for NBA second chance

Lance Stephenson is willing to go to the G League to make it back to the NBA with a potential contender.

Stephenson was taken by the Grand Rapids Gold with the 13th overall pick of the G League draft on Saturday, and the former Abraham Lincoln HS standout will play for the Denver Nuggets’ affiliate, The Athletic reported.

The nine-year NBA veteran hasn’t played in the league since appearing in 68 games with the Lakers in 2018-19. The 31-year-old Stephenson has appeared in 508 NBA games with seven teams, most notably from 2010-14 with the Pacers, who twice made the Eastern Conference Finals in that span. He also played professionally in China last year.

Another veteran NBA guard, Brandon Knight, was selected sixth overall by Sioux City, while Dwyane Wade’s son Zaire and LiAngelo Ball — the brother of NBA guards Lonzo and LaMelo Ball — also were chosen by Salt Lake City and Greensboro, respectively.

The Nuggets have advanced to at least the second round of the playoffs in each of the past three seasons, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2019-20.