The Charlotte Hornets may look at a trade for Lance Stephenson at the trading deadline this year and if they end up making a deal, teams like the LA Lakers, Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets and LA Clippers could be interested in making a move and picking him up.
According to ESPN.com, the Hornets considered trading Stephenson earlier this season and could shop him at the trade deadline. Earlier in December teams like the Nets and Clippers as well as the Pacers were mentioned and as it gets closer to the deadline more teams could jump in. According to CBS Sports, the Hornets are continuing to look for trades for Stephenson and teams like the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Lakers or Clippers could step up at the deadline. The Hornets are 17-25 this season after making the playoffs last year and they are fourth in the southeast division.
Stephenson is averaging just 10.1 points and six rebounds in 31 minutes per game and that is down from expectations. Stephenson is shooting just 38 percent and that has been one of the main issues with his play. Stephenson is a career shooter at 45 percent that makes this another troubling thing for the Hornets, as he was much better last season in Indiana. Last year he averaged 13 points and shot nearly 50 percent from the floor and that makes this a stark decrease.
Stephenson signed in the offseason after starting his career with the Pacers and after signing a three year deal the Hornets may be ready to move on already. 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. 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.
The Hornets made the playoffs the previous season as the Bobcats and that is why expectations were high for the team this year. Michael 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 played this season.
