Tang Tian's Son Won the Championship

This time of year was always when trade rumors ran rampant.

The players welcomed the rare break of All-Star Weekend, but for general managers, it was their busiest time.

Dempsey asked Tang Tian what he thought of Lance Stephenson. The implication was obvious: he was asking whether they should trade for him.

Stephenson had been a second-round pick who made his name with the Pacers, becoming an all-around guard. In the 2013-14 season, he led the league in triple-doubles with five.

But afterward, due to disagreements with the Pacers over his extension salary, he eventually left for Charlotte and bounced around several teams after that.

In last summer's three-team trade involving Paul, he ultimately ended up with the Clippers.

Stephenson had individual ability, something he had already proven during his time with the Pacers, but his personality was a major problem.

Or rather, he was JaVale McGee on the perimeter.

He did not have McGee's attention-deficit issues, but he was always doing baffling things on the court, sometimes even things that hurt his team.

Back with the Pacers, he had untied an opponent's shoelaces during free throws and had even blown into James's ear.

It was absurd, inexplicable, and enough to give any team a headache.

The Clippers' Head Coach was Rivers, and he clearly did not like players like that.

This season, he was earning an annual salary of nine million, yet his average Playing Time was only around fifteen minutes.

Not only was he behind Pierce and Redick and unable to become a starter, but before the All-Star Game, Wesley Johnson had even squeezed him out of the Rotation Lineup.

It was only expected that the Clippers would put him on the trade block.

As for the Pelicans, Morrow's form had remained poor all season.

Even in games