How Much Did Lance Stephenson Make In The Nba

Alright, folks, gather 'round. I've got a tale to tell about a man, a myth, a legend in the NBA. You might know him as the "Born Ready" guy, or perhaps you've seen him blowing in LeBron's ear. That's right, we're talking about none other than Lance Stephenson.

Now, you might be wondering, "How much did this guy make in the NBA?" Well, buckle up, 'cause we're about to dive into a world of contract extensions, trade deals, and some serious cheddar.

From Brooklyn to the League

Lance Stephenson grew up in the heart of Brooklyn, New York, where he was already a basketball sensation by the time he was a teenager. He was so good, they called him "The Truth" before Paul Pierce even got there. But let's not get into that debate right now.

In 2010, Stephenson was drafted 40th overall by the Indiana Pacers. Not a bad pick for a second-rounder, right? But here's where it gets interesting. The Pacers didn't just draft him; they traded for him. Yep, they gave up a future second-round pick to the Sacramento Kings just to get their hands on Lance. Talk about a leap of faith.

His First Big Contract

Stephenson spent his first few seasons in Indiana, proving himself as a solid role player. Then, in 2014, he signed a $27.5 million contract with the Charlotte Hornets. That's right, folks. Lance Stephenson was making more money than some small countries.

But here's the thing: that contract was a bit of a rollercoaster. It was a three-year deal, but it included a player option for the third year. So, after two years, Stephenson could either opt in for another $9.4 million or opt out and become a free agent. Spoiler alert: he opted out.

From Hornets to... Everywhere

After opting out of his Hornets contract, Stephenson became a bit of an NBA nomad. He played for the Los Angeles Clippers, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Indiana Pacers again, the New Orleans Pelicans, the Memphis Grizzlies, and even the Chinese Basketball Association's Liaoning Flying Leopards. I know, right? It's like he's playing a real-life game of musical chairs.

Through all these moves, Stephenson's earnings varied. Some years, he was making $4.5 million (like in Indiana in 2018-19). Other years, he was making $12 million (like in Charlotte in 2014-15). It was a bit of a financial rollercoaster, but hey, at least he was having fun, right?

The Big Question: How Much Did He Make in Total?

Alright, folks, we've been dancing around the big question long enough. How much did Lance Stephenson make in the NBA in total? Well, according to HoopsHype, Stephenson has earned a grand total of $59,415,000 in his NBA career.

Now, before you go thinking that's a lot of money (which, let's face it, it is), remember that Stephenson played in the NBA for over a decade. That's a lot of games, a lot of practices, and a lot of flights. So, when you break it down, it's not quite as much as you might think.

Plus, let's not forget about the endorsements. Stephenson has been known to rock some pretty flashy outfits, and he's even had his own sneaker line. So, who knows? Maybe he's got a secret stash of cash hidden away somewhere.

The Bottom Line

So there you have it, folks. That's how much Lance Stephenson made in the NBA. It's a pretty penny, but remember, it's not just about the money. It's about the joy of the game, the thrill of competition, and the love of the fans. And hey, if nothing else, at least we'll always have the ear-blowing incident to remember him by.

Until next time, folks. This has been your friendly neighborhood NBA salary reporter, signing off.