Pelicans release Lance Stephenson, to sign Archie Goodwin
— -- The New Orleans Pelicans?released injured swingman Lance Stephenson?on Monday.
New Orleans didn't want to waive Stephenson, sources said, but the team needed to create a roster spot to sign former Phoenix Suns guard Archie Goodwin. Goodwin confirmed on Twitter that he will sign.
Stephenson's agent Mark Bartelstein says Pelicans general manager Dell Demps "has gone overboard" to express how much the Pelicans value his client and would be interested in re-signing Stephenson when he is healthy. The agent said the team has said it will pay his client throughout his rehab.
The Pelicans learned Saturday that Stephenson needs groin surgery and will be out indefinitely. The team made the roster decision Sunday night after conceding that Stephenson won't be able to return to the lineup for several weeks, at the earliest.
New Orleans (0-6) was already playing without starting point guard Jrue Holiday (personal reasons) and two veteran scorers recovering from knee surgery -- Tyreke Evans and Quincy Pondexter -- when Stephenson went down.
Goodwin is expected to be available Monday night when the Pelicans face the Golden State Warriors on the road.
Stephenson averaged 9.7 points, 4.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game in six contests for the Pelicans this season.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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