Sources: Lance Stephenson returning to the NBA, reunited with Nate McMillan in Atlanta

He's been out of the NBA since 2019 and most recently played in the G League for the Grand Rapids Gold.

Lance Stephenson is joining the Atlanta Hawks on a 10-day hardship exception, league sources confirmed to Fieldhouse Files.

This reunites Stephenson, who’s 31, with Nate McMillan — who will now coach him for the third time. As I often say, Stephenson is misunderstood by those outside his team and appreciated by those on it.

Stephenson, the Pacers’ 2010 second-round pick, has been out of the NBA since his one season (2018-19) with LeBron James on the Lakers. It took a previous relationship with McMillan, someone who knows and respects Stephenson’s game and hard play, for him to get back in the league.

Stephenson’s first game with the Hawks will be Dec. 22 against the Orlando Magic. He will wear No. 33.

The Hawks are scheduled to play on Christmas Day, in New York against the Knicks. So that’s nearly a home game for the Brooklyn native. This will be Stephenson’s second time playing on Christmas; the other time was in 2015 when he was with the LA Clippers.

“I didn’t really like it because I ain’t really get to celebrate with my kids on Christmas,” Stephenson said in 2018. “It was fun, but I rather not play on Christmas.”

Stephenson was the 13th overall pick in the G League draft by the Grand Rapids Gold, the affiliate team of the Denver Nuggets. He appeared in 12 games and averaged 19.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.