The New Orleans Pelicans reportedly will release guard Lance Stephenson after he suffered a groin injury that's expected to sideline him six to 10 weeks following surgery, according to Shams Charania of The Vertical and Marc Stein of ESPN.
However, according to Stein, the Pelicans will "participate fully in Lance Stephenson's injury rehab and told him they're open to re-signing him once healed."
Stein offered more context on why the Pelicans ultimately chose to release the guard:
New Orleans didn't want to waive Lance, sources said, but saw no alternative with 11 healthy players and no sure path to an injury exception
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) November 7, 2016
Matt Barnes of the Sacramento Kings saw things differently, however, putting the Pelicans on blast for their decision.