The Indiana Pacers have been listed as a potential destination since it broke that the Charlotte Hornets are looking to unload Lance Stephenson. There have reportedly been talks between the two front offices, and Pacers owner Herb Simon even told Candace Buckner of the Indianapolis Star that he was “O.K.” with a Stephenson return if Larry Bird and his executives wanted to make that move.
Those talks reportedly failed to “gain traction,” however, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. Chris Broussard of ESPN reported that Charlotte couldn’t get any offers it liked from any team and would “keep him for now.”
When it comes to the Pacers losing interest, perhaps Stephenson’s low approval rating among his former teammates is the reason why. Marc Stein of ESPN reported last night that multiple players on the team were asked about the possibility of bringing back the mercurial guard. Their response was not enthusiastic. “Heard various Pacers were asked if Indy should bring Lance Stephenson back,” tweeted Stein. “Response NOT one of encouragement.”
Weekend Trade Rumble: Heard various Pacers were asked if Indy should try to bring Lance Stephenson back. Response NOT one of encouragement
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 22, 2014
That's Charlotte's challenge in trying to move Stephenson. Pacers were worn out by season's end & he had Hornets exasperated in record time
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 22, 2014
These comments vibe with how local radio host and Fieldhouse PA announcer Michael Grady interpreted George Hill‘s view of a Lance return. Scott Agness of Vigilant Sports asked some of the players about Stephenson last week, and he reported a more favorable response, but it is starting to seem like this has no chance of happening.
This might be for the best.
The Pacers current 9-19 record and their ongoing plague of injuries made it obvious why the team would want to go back to something it knows. But Stephenson has reportedly already worn out his welcome in the Charlotte locker room as well, as Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe reported. (h/t The Score)
"According to league sources, Stephenson has clashed with teammates, and coach Steve Clifford has placed the onus of Stephenson’s adjustment on the team’s veteran players, hoping they could police themselves and convince Stephenson to become more of a team player. Stephenson may become a more attractive piece near the Feb. 19 trade deadline, but the Hornets would want value in return"
It’s a shame how this has all gone.
Lance Stephenson was a second-round pick who never played much in his first two seasons. It looked like he would be exiting the NBA soon and probably bounce around overseas for a decade or so before his unheralded career came to an end. He would join the ranks of the many young phenoms who became nothing.
But Larry Bird was his biggest supporter and helped mentor him to become a pro. Then Danny Granger got hurt and Stephenson broke out, proving himself to be a starter-quality guard in year one then a borderline All-Star in year two.
He got paid for those skills, so that’s great for him and his family. But now he is starting to look like a guy without a home. Hopefully he’ll find a place where his talents can mesh with an organization, but it’s starting to like he is now 0-for-2 over the past two years.