NBA Rumors: Stephenson Likely To Return To Liaoning Flying Leopards With League In Hiatus

China is showing signs of improvement against the dreaded coronavirus with some businesses slowly resuming operations. The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) seems to be ready to resume as well after recalling all foreign players as mentioned in a previous post.

According to Sportando, several players are flocking back to China with the CBA scheduled to resume on Apr. 15. Players like Jared Cunningham, Donatas Motiejunas, MarShon Brooks, Ty Lawson, and Jeremy Lin are on their way back but will undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine period and get tested for COVID-19 upon return.

One player who was curiously not mentioned is Lance Stephenson. Earlier this month, there were talks of the 29-year-old possibly returning to the Indiana Pacers, Shams Charania reported. However, it remained that he had a live contract with the Liaoning Flying Leopards and that he would need clearance to make an NBA return. That was before the coronavirus outbreak put the 2019-20 regular season on hold.

Stephenson agreed to a one-year $4 million deal with the Flying Leopards but found himself idle as China addressed the growing COVID-19 problem. Now the tables have been turned with no word on when (and if) the NBA season will resume. But the more important thing here is that Stephenson never struck a deal with the Pacers.

Hence, it would be best for the 6-foot-6 cager to honor his commitment to the Flying Leopards and play out the rest of his contract. Waiting for an NBA call at this stage seems impractical. Also, there is the looming possibility that the season could be canceled if the pandemic does not improve.

A return to the NBA is still feasible although not now for Stephenson or any other player currently signed with a CBA team. He could try again in the NBA offseason and try out with the Pacers or some other team. At this point, the 40th overall pick of the 2010 NBA Draft needs to decide wisely and choose a place where his income will not be affected. He has played in 29 games over in the CBA, averaging 26.7 points and 7.4 rebounds in a dominating display per Baskteball-Reference.com. Once his contract runs out, that may be the best time for him to see if there are any teams interested in his services.