It’s not a good summer for guards whose production and reputations have declined after taking pay cuts.
Ty Lawson got an unguaranteed deal with the Kings after allowing his $13,213,482 salary to become fully unguaranteed and then being waived.
Lance Stephenson – who signed with the Pelicans after rejecting a five-year, $44 million contract two years ago – fared only barely better.
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports:
The Pelicans have 15 players, the regular-season roster limit, with guaranteed salaries. Chris Copeland, Robert Sacre and Shawn Dawson are also competing on unguaranteed deals.
Essentially, Stephenson is far from a lock to make the team – even with Tyreke Evans and Jrue Holiday both out to begin training camp. Stephenson is just 26 and two years removed from near-All-Star production, and New Orleans needs a playmaking guard.
But if Stephenson doesn’t impress clearly more than the 15 players with guaranteed deals, his contract terms make it easier to waive him.