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Wojnarowski: Lakers may see Pacers as escape plan for Lance Stephenson

By Ben Gibson

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 19: Lance Stephenson #1 of the Indiana Pacers goes to the basket against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 19, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 19: Lance Stephenson #1 of the Indiana Pacers goes to the basket against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 19, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Some Indiana Pacers fans still haven’t forgiven Kevin Pritchard for letting Lance Stephenson go. However, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski says there is faint hope for a reunion later this year if the Los Angeles Lakers have second thoughts.

Have we seen Lance Stephenson in an Indiana Pacers jersey for the final time? ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski believes there is a small chance we haven’t.

Remember when Lance Stephenson signed with the Charlotte Hornets? Remember when the Hornets had second thoughts and tried trading him back to Indiana? Woj believes the Los Angeles Lakers might end up in the same position with Stephenson.

On the Woj Pod, after talking about hotel rewards points, Wojnarowski and Bobby Marks discuss how the Lakers could get buyer’s remorse and look to send Born Ready back to the Hoosier State. The logic behind Woj’s theory is this: If Lance can’t find his rhythm in Los Angeles, the Lakers know Indiana might take him back.

“Lance has not played well anywhere but Indiana. He has been such a fish out of water everywhere he’s gone. Charlotte, they were trying to trade him back to Indiana, like, 3 weeks in. You know how this ends, like in November, December, they are going to be calling the Pacers to take him back,” Wojnarowski said.

It’s worth pointing out this is just a theory of Woj’s. If things work out in Los Angeles, then they won’t need to look for trade partners. Woj is simply theorizing a possibility.

We know Lance has certain powers when he wears a Pacers jersey, but are the other 29 jerseys in the Association his kryptonite?

While it is mostly true Stephson’s best days were in Indiana, it’s worth noting he put up decent stats with the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2015-16 season. He averaged 14.2 points on 47.4 percent shooting, as well an acceptable 35.5 percent from beyond the arc.

We won’t know for awhile if Stephenson’s powers truly emanate from Bankers Life Fieldhouse, but even if that’s the case, I’m not so sure the Pacers are in the position to bring him back.

Indiana wouldn’t need to give up too much for Stephenson, but after signing Doug McDermott and Tyreke Evans, is there room for Lance, other than in Pacers fans’ hearts?

Both of those players addressed the needs Indiana had after Stephenson and Glenn Robinson III’s departures. McDermott’s shooting and Evans’ playmaking are both badly needed by Indiana, meaning outside of the intangibles that Stephenson brings, there isn’t a glaring need he fills.

If they signed him, it’s hard to see when and where he fits in. As much as the fans love him, Kevin Pritchard’s replacements for him are better suited for Indiana’s needs. Stephenson was an exceptionally poor 3-point shooter last season and turnovers are always the blade that cuts both ways with Lance.

Next: Thaddeus Young vs the Raccoon

My heart says yes, bring Stephenson back, but the head says no, the Pacers moved on without you.

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