Report: Pelicans To Cut Lance Stephenson, Sign Former 1st Round Pick

The New Orleans Pelicans will reportedly cut injured wingman Lance Stephenson in order to sign a former first round pick.

According to ESPN NBA insider Marc Stein, the Pelicans didn't want to release Stephenson, who injured his groin in Friday's loss to the Phoenix Suns, but needed to make room on the roster to sign former Suns guard Archie Goodwin (pictured above).

New Orleans is already without starting point guard Jrue Holiday, who is tending to his family after his wife Lauren underwent brain surgery to remove a tumor, less than two months after she gave birth to the their first child. Holiday's return date is unknown at this time.

The Pelicans are also without starting guard Tyreke Evans (knee) and starting small forward Quincy Pondexter (knee).

Per Stein, New Orleans has told Stephenson they'll participate in his rehab from the groin injury if he desires and are open to resigning him later this season.

With a shortage of healthy bodies, the winless Pelicans (0-6) needed room to fit Goodwin on the roster.

Goodwin was the 29th overall pick of the 2013 draft, selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder before his rights were eventually traded to Phoenix.

The former Kentucky Wildcat appeared in 57 games last season, starting 13. He averaged just under 20 minutes per contest, averaging 8.9 points a game.