The NBA trade deadline is coming and Lance Stephenson could be a main target for teams, as the Indiana Pacers, LA Lakers, Miami Heat, NY Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, Denver Nuggets, Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics could be potential options for a deal with the Charlotte Hornets and this comes after Stephenson signed as a free agent in the offseason.
Stephenson has struggled overall this season after signing a deal in the offseason for three years with the Hornets. According to ESPN.com, Stephenson has been shopped multiple times this season and he nearly was dealt in a three team trade with the Thunder and the Nets. Reports have Stephenson willing to play with the Nets, as he is from Brooklyn and they are looking to make major moves with Brook Lopez and Deron Williams.
Stephenson is a very gifted player talent wise, but he has had issues with teammates and is not always the best locker room presence. That is what spelled his end with the Pacers and now could do the same with the Hornets. Stephenson may stick it out in Charlotte, as they have the chance to build something over the next couple years, but it's more likely he is traded. Stephenson is averaging nine points this season after putting up a career best 13 points per game last year and he is not shooting the ball as well either.
The Hornets are 22-29 this season and they are in the mix for the playoffs in the east. The team could look at moving Stephenson, but they may try and work it out, as he could blossom into the star they thought he could be. 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.
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.
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 Nets previously were working on a deal to send Lopez to the Thunder and they would get Kendrick Perkins in return, but that broke down. After the Lopez trade faltered the teams could look at making a deal again, but right now the move is off. The Nuggets have been shopping players this offseason and they could also look at Stephenson, as they have Arron Afflalo and Wilson Chandler as potential targets and they also could look at Stephenson.
