The NBA trade deadline is in February and Lance Stephenson may be a target from the Charlotte Hornets for teams, as the LA Lakers, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, Clippers, Brooklyn Nets and NY Knicks could be options if the Hornets find a deal they like after previously shopping Stephenson earlier in the season.
The Memphis Grizzlies pulled off a trade for Jeff Green and the Cleveland Cavaliers have made their move and now some other contenders could look at acquiring Stephenson. According to ESPN.com, the Hornets shopped Stephenson earlier in the season to teams like the Nets, Clippers and Celtics, but Charlotte did not find a package it liked for the mercurial star. CBS Sports reports that the Hornets are still calling around about Stephenson and there is a chance they find a deal they like closer to the deadline.
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.
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.
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 15-24 on the year and fourth in the division standings in the southwest.
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.
