The Charlotte Hornets may look at a Lance Stephenson trade at the NBA trading deadline in February, as teams like the Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, LA Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, LA Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers could be interested in making a move and it comes after the Hornets shopped Stephenson earlier in the season.
Stephenson is an immensely talented player, but he has had maturity issues throughout his career and that could be one reason why he gets traded. Stephenson signed a three year contract with the Hornets in the offseason, but things have not gone well in Charlotte at all this season. Stephenson has not played well and the team has not played well, as Charlotte is 13-24 on the year and fourth in the division standings in the southwest.
While no one was expecting a championship banner this season, Michael Jordan and the front office felt the playoffs were a realistic goal. The team made the playoffs as the Bobcats last season and after adding Stephenson it seemed like the team would at least be marginally better, but that has not happened. Stephenson was benched multiple times earlier in the season and according to Ken Berger of CBS Sports, the Hornets have continued looking for trades after previously shopping Stephenson in December.
Stephenson has been struggling for the Hornets and while trade talk died down from earlier in the season, the team wants some frontcourt help and could use Stephenson for that. Berger of CBS Sports writes that the team is looking for help up front with the injury to Al Jefferson and that they could be willing to trade Stephenson to help with that. Another name to watch is Jamal Crawford, as he is getting some trade buzz, as the Clippers are looking to make moves as well.
The Clippers could be a potential option for Stephenson, but it's unlikely they would want to add his salary right now. Berger speculates that the Nets remain an option after they came up earlier in reports this season, but they have seemingly relaxed on trading Brook Lopez or Joe Johnson. Lopez could be an option for the Hornets, but he is pricey, while the Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies also could be potential options.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Memphis Grizzlies are interested in trading for Luol Deng from the Miami Heat or for Jeff Green from the Boston Celtics. ESPN.com reporter Marc Stein writes that the Grizzlies are interested in getting wing help and that they would be willing to trade Tayshaun Price to do it. Prince is a strong defender and he is on an expiring contract, which could be attractive for the Hornets.
Despite his disappointing stats this season of 10 points and six rebounds per game on 38 percent shooting, Stephenson is strong on the offensive side and Memphis could look at him if the other deals don't work. The Miami Heat also could be an option for Stephenson whether they trade Deng or not, as they have not played great and still are right in the middle of the eastern conference pack. The Pacers are also an option, but they have been disappointing this year and may wait to see how Paul George recovers before making major moves.