The Charlotte Hornets may look at a Lance Stephenson trade this season at the deadline and teams like the Boston Celtics, LA Lakers, NY Knicks, Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat, LA Clippers and Indiana Pacers all could be interested in making a move, as Stephenson has not fit in well for Michael Jordan's team and now he could be traded.
Stephenson signed in the offseason after starting his career with the Pacers and after just a third of the season the Hornets may be ready to move on. Stephenson has as much talent and potential as anyone, but in the past he has been cited for some maturity issues and problems in the locker room. Last season the Pacers nearly collapsed out of the playoffs with a first round loss and horrible second half, part of which was reportedly due to issues surrounding Stephenson and his teammates.
The Pacers were not expected to sign back Stephenson and they didn't, allowing the Hornets to come in and sign him to a three year deal. The Hornets made their second significant signing in as many years, with Stephenson coming in to join Al Jefferson. The Hornets made the playoffs the previous season as the Bobcats and that is why expectations were fairly high for the team this year. Jordan did not expect a championship run, but the playoffs were a reasonable destination and now all that is in question with the way the team has started.
Stephenson put up the best numbers of his career last season while starting in all 78 games he played, averaging 13.8 points, seven rebounds and four assists per game, but teammates did not get along with him too well. Reports had the Pacers annoyed at some selfish play during the second half of the season along with attitude issues that have followed Stephenson for years. Michael Wilbon suggested that a trade to a team with a veteran locker room could be a fix for Stephenson, mentioning the Miami Heat and LA Clippers as good landing spots.
Head coach Steve Clifford has benched Stephenson multiple times this season and while a trade is no guarantee at this point, it looks like Stephenson will be moved. This season Stephenson is averaging 10 points and is shooting just 38 percent from the floor compared to 49 percent last season, the best of his career. The Pacers are without Paul George for this year after his scary injury and some have suggested that the team could look into bringing back Stephenson.
The Hornets are just 6-19 this season and the Pacers aren't much better and adding a player like Stephenson could greatly help the offense. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Pacers owners Herb Simon has given Larry Bird the power to make a deal for Stephenson if he wants, adding that the front office has the "judgment" to make the deal or not. After the way things went last season, some players may be weary of Stephenson coming back, but the Pacers desperately need some offense and with George's recovery months away, this could be a trade that helps the team at least make the playoffs after going to the east finals last season.
