Lance Stephenson has finally reemerged from NBA purgatory. Now, if only the veteran swing-man can get out of his own way long enough for it to truly matter.

Just two seasons after being widely heralded as one of the league's finest young talents, Stephenson recently inked a one-year, make-good deal with New Orleans that could be his last, best chance for league stability.

Stephenson spent the 2015-16 season bouncing between the Clippers and the Grizzlies, after being jettisoned from the Hornets following a season where he never quite fit into Michael Jordan's team's tightly regimented system and looked as disengaged as he ever has over the life of his then five NBA seasons.

Things weren't much different with the Clippers, but in Memphis Stephenson seemed to get his groove averaging 14 points, four rebounds and three assists in just 26 minutes a game.

All the Dr. Jekyll, Mr Hyde impersonations were enough to leave league GMs not knowing what they could expect from Stephenson this summer and too afraid to pull the trigger on finding out.

Enter the Pelicans, who were recently thrown a curve ball of their own with news of veteran point guard Jrue Holiday's unavailability to start the season while he cares for his ailing wife.

The 25-year New York City high school legend averaged 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists, leading the league in triple-doubles during his last season in Indiana in 2013-14. The Pelicans can only hope that will be the Lance arriving in New Orleans come training camp.

Chris Bosh and Miami Heat

Meanwhile, the Miami Heat are witnessing just how rocky the road could be in the post Dwyane Wade era.

Right around the same time rumblings were heard that All-Star veteran Chris Bosh could soon be medically cleared to resume play, word came that emerging swing-man Josh Richardson will be lost for at least all of training camp as he recuperates from a partial MCL tear.

Several media outlets recently reported there is "growing optimism" Bosh could soon be cleared to return to action and allowed to play while taking blood thinners for the kidney condition he suffers from.

If Bosh is cleared for action it's unclear what the stipulations might be, such as if he will be allowed to play in every game or even the second of back-to-back outings.

As for Richardson, Wade's probable replacement in the starting lineup, the second year man went down during an offseason workout.

"They said it's depending on how the rehab and stuff goes, how I approach it," Richardson said. Of his return which some hope could come in as little as six weeks. "But anywhere from like, they said, six to eight weeks, somewhere around there."

As a rookie, Richardson averaged 6.6 points in 52 games with Miami last season.

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