Heading into the 2014 offseason, the biggest question surrounding the Indiana Pacers is not the job security of Frank Vogel or the potential trade of Roy Hibbert. It is the free agent status of Lance Stephenson and whether or the Indiana Pacers want the young shooting guard back on the team. Last year at this time, re-signing Stephenson seemed like a no-brainer. However, a drama-filled season has caused his stock to drop and now his teammates are not even sure if they want him back.
Paul George was asked about the potential exit of Stephenson after the Pacers were ousted from the playoffs following a loss to the Miami Heat. He did not exactly give him teammate a ringing endorsement.
"I don't know. That's for Larry [Bird], Kevin Pritchard, for them to decide," George said, via ESPN.com.
Stephenson's 2013 season might have come with an All-Star appearance, but was mainly marred by fights with teammates, erratic play and controversial, immature moves including blowing in LeBron James' ear during Game 5. His Game 6 flagrant foul might have been the final straw. Of course Stephenson is hoping to stay in Indiana, but he might not be the priority for the Pacers anymore.
"I love it in Indiana, but right now, it's not the right time to talk about [free agency]," Stephenson said. "I don't think I act any way; I'm just very competitive. I don't ever back down to anyone. I know some of the stuff looks bad, but that's just my way of playing hard."
The Pacers will first decide Luis Scola's future. He has a nonguaranteed $4.8 million deal next year. Evan Turner is a free agent as well and is a player Vogel has endorsed as a promising investment. They are also looking to nab a top point guard like Kyle Lowry or possibly a trade for Rajon Rondo. That could easily leave Stephenson on the outside looking in.
The Chicago Bulls appear to be pulling out of the race for the guard. According to KC Johnson of the Chicago Tribune, the Bulls are not considering Stephenson as an option in free agency. While his production on the court would be welcomed, his maturity issues are not and Johnson believes head coach Tom Thibodeau wants nothing to do with him. The Bulls have been linked to shooters like Carmelo Anthony and Loul Deng, but not the young Pacers star.
The Los Angeles Lakers are an option for Stephenson if they miss out on Anthony and the Brooklyn Nets might be a target if Paul Pierce heads elsewhere. The guard is going to have some trouble on the open market, but there will be a team willing to give him a big contract.