Lance Stephenson was asked how he decided to sign with the New Orleans Pelicans this offseason.

"I liked this team, and I see a couple young guys that I could potentially help and show all the other stuff that I learned from other places, from guys like Chris Paul, Paul George, Paul Pierce," said Stephenson. "Just teach them, and help them believe and show them the right way to work out there and what it takes to make it to the conference finals, and getting that work in every day."

With Jrue Holiday on leave to be with his wife during her health issues, Stephenson gives the Pelicans another ball handler.

"We were actually talking before then. I was just weighing my options. I figured this was the best team to go to, and I can help this program win -- help the young guys in here and also help me at the same time."

Stephenson was also asked if he regrets passing up the Indiana Pacers' five-year, $44 million offer in 2014 now that he's a free agent after only making a combined $18 million over two seasons.

"I don’t think I really chose not to go there," said Stephenson. "I don’t want to get into that, but it goes with the business. We never came to an agreement. I’m not going to say I turned it down -- I didn’t do that. But I don’t want to dwell on the past. I’m happy with the position I’m in now. I’m just gonna move forward and work hard and get back to that elite basketball player that I was."