The Indiana Pacers' season has officially come to an end in disappointing fashion. After earning the Eastern Conference No. 1 overall seed, the Pacers were thinking championship, but once again the Miami Heat got the best of them, ending those chances. So now the Pacers are left trying to figure out how to retool their roster with most players returning. In need of a true scoring threat, who gets sent packing for one?
Immaturity is certainly getting the blame for part of the reason the Pacers collapsed to the Heat once again and Lance Stephenson is at the forefront of that. The guard has faced issues all season long, getting into fights with teammates and being deemed a locker room issue, and things came to a head in Game 5 when he was caught blowing into LeBron James' ear as a defense tactic. Now with free agency ahead of him, does Stephenson return?
ESPN's Israel Gutierrez asked leader Paul George if he wanted to continue playing with Stephenson, in reference to his expiring contract. George simply replied, "I mean, I don't know." Not exactly a ringing endorsement. This is not exactly shocking to hear uncertainty from the Pacers players. At 23, Stephenson could become one of the best in the league, but he has let other issues overshadow that. Yes, Stephenson is capable of brilliance, but with a stamp of immaturity on him, some teams could shy away from giving him a large contract.
Stephenson has immediately been linked to a sign-and-trade deal involving Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo. NBA beat writer Chuck Myron is noting that the Pacers are darkhorse to get Rondo, especially with the exit of Stephenson. The team could attempt to orchestrate a deal involving David West for the point guard. Most fans will cry foul for attempting to trade West, but getting Rondo in return is not a bad deal.
The Los Angeles Lakers are considered an option. The team is looking for young players to begin building around as Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash ride off into the sunset. If the team misses out on Carmelo Anthony then Stephenson could be a solid addition for the team. The Chicago Bulls are another team that will glance Stephenson's way if the miss out on Anthony. The Bulls need scoring threats to take the pressure off Derrick Rose and the Indiana guard would do just that.
Determining a price tag for the guard might be the hard part. Stephenson was a second-round pick in 2010. He is coming off a contract that paid him just over $1 million after incentives. How much is he worth? A team will throw some big money at the guard, but it appears the Pacers might not be one of them.