Lance Stephenson’s Road Back to the Indiana Pacers, And What Comes Next

Lance Stephenson returns to the Indiana Pacers as the two sides have agreed to a 3-year, $12 million deal.

Indiana Pacers fans have been calling for Lance Stephenson’s homecoming since the day he bolted for Charlotte, but the talks were always speculative and full of false hope.

Well, Pacers fans, rejoice because Lance is back to the place where it all began for him, and he will once again don an Indiana Pacers jersey. He will join the team on Sunday according to the Indianapolis Star’s Nate Taylor.

The Pacers released the following statement from Larry Bird on Thursday when it become official.

"“We’re very happy to have Lance back as part of our team,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird. “We always knew he wanted to come back here, and we feel now is the right time, not only for the rest of this season, but moving forward. We look forward to having a long relationship with him, because we know what he can bring to our franchise, both on and off the court.”"

Lance Stephenson’s Road to Return

But first, let’s rewind and reflect on how Lance’s career got to this point.

The Indiana Pacers and Larry Bird selected the 6’6′ shooting guard from Cincinnati with the 40th pick in the 2nd round. Bird loved Stephenson’s game, and he blossomed into a tremendous bench option for the Pacers in his second year. His third year was where his game really exploded, Danny Granger went down with an injury, and Lance took advantage of the starting spot and made it his.

In his fourth year, Lance averaged career highs across the board with 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists. He was nearly an All-Star, which he arguably should have been, and he was also triple-double threat on a nightly basis.

In the summer of 2014, Stephenson tested the free agency waters, and rejected Indiana’s 5-year $44 million deal to sign with the Charlotte Hornets on a 3-year, $27 million contract.

Essentially, Lance turned down $8.8 million a year to leave a place where his game was flourishing and the team was on the cusp of a championship, to go to a underwhelming Charlotte team for $200,000 more. Lance was either the recipient of some horrific advice, or he thought his 2013-2014 performance was much proof that he could play at that level with any team. It couldn’t have been the money, because $200,000 is simply not enough make a career-defining decision of that magnitude.

Whatever led to his departure is in the past now, and Pacers fans, and Larry Legend got their guy back. He also comes at a much cheaper price ($4.8 million a year to be exact), and Indiana’s front office may be getting some serious bang for their buck.

Lance’s Indy Years

In his Indy years, Lance brought Bankers Life to its feet on a nightly basis with his exhilarating and fearless play. He was the swagger to an Indiana team that was true to its slogan, “Blue Collar, Gold Swagger,” and the current Pacers are in desperate need of that Lance Stephenson to return.

Indiana is looking for some passion and aggression from players not named Paul George, and Lance can bring that. Indiana has also been unable to get consistency out of anyone at the starting shooting guard position, and Lance may just be the answer. He is a guy that feeds off of the intensity of the game, and he fears no opponent (just ask “King” James). Whether he is blowing on guy’s faces, trash talking, or just flat out balling, Indiana needs it.

The question is, is Indiana getting the Lance Stephenson of old, or the player that is seemingly a shell of his old self?

Old Lance, or New Lance?

The intangibles that Lance brings are always there, but the play of his Pacers’ days are not guaranteed as he returns to Indy.

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If the Pacers are getting the Lance of old, they are getting a guy that can do a little bit of everything.

Lance can get to the cup and finish, play make for others, and rebound at a high rate, which Indiana simply doesn’t have at the moment. He is also 6’6′ and will add height to a team that severely lacks it at the guard position.

His 3-point and defensive capabilities are suspect at times, but he is not afraid to shoot the three, and a player looking to revitalize his career is much more inclined to lock in on the defensive end.

There is a whole lot of upside to Lance’s return, and little risk. The deal was a bargain for the front office, and the fans are surely elated with Lance’s return. This could also be key in Indiana’s campaign to retain Paul George, especially if Lance Stephenson can return to form.

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Hopefully Lance is still “Born Ready,” and he just took a 3-year hiatus filled with 10-day contracts and 5 different teams. He spent time in Charlotte, Los Angeles, Memphis, New Orleans and Minnesota, and has been the epitome of the NBA journeyman.

Nonetheless, he’s back home in Indiana, and it’s a beautiful thing.