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NBA Trade Rumors: Indiana Pacers may not want to pay to keep Lance Stephenson next season

By Josh Hill

Jan 16, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson (1) waits to check into the game against the New York Knicks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats New York 117- 89. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson (1) waits to check into the game against the New York Knicks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats New York 117- 89. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 16, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson (1) waits to check into the game against the New York Knicks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats New York 117- 89. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson (1) waits to check into the game against the New York Knicks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats New York 117- 89. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

The Indiana Pacers are the best team in the NBA and they have a solid roster to thank for that. In a league where the focus is on compiling superstars in free agency, the Pacers have crafted a roster that is worthy of a championship thanks to homegrown stardom.

One of the hottest names on the roster is Lance Stephenson, but while the Pacers love the production they’re getting from him at the moment, it could all come back to bite them in the offseason. According to Basketball Insider’s Joel Brigham, the Pacers want to keep Stephenson past this season but may not want to pay what that will cost.

"There is a chance that they could offload some other contract or contracts to ensure he remains in Indianapolis, but there’s also a lot of free agency money floating around this summer and Stephenson could command upwards of $11-12 million a season at this point."

It’s pointed out that the better Stephenson continues to play, the more money he’ll likely command in the offseason when he hits the free agent market. It was also pointed out that the Pacers are growing more and more nervous about the luxury tax. Stephenson has stated he wants to stay in Indiana, and not wanting to pay to keep Stephenson what they can’t afford doesn’t mean the Pacers don’t want him.

They’ll have some decisions to make this offseason, but it won’t be that surprising to see the Pacers lose Stephenson to another team.

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