NBA Rumors: Indiana Pacers interested in Lance Stephenson
The Indiana Pacers may be looking to bring Lance Stephenson back to Indianapolis for the upcoming season.
With so many players opting for new homes in 2016, one team is looking to bring back a former player who was a part of a special team just a few years ago.
The Indiana Pacers have already acquired some talent this week after agreeing to deals with both Jeff Teague and Al Jefferson, but adding Lance Stephenson could help the former Pacer get back to his previous great play.
Stephenson was a part of the Pacers franchise when the team went to consecutive Eastern Conference Finals in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons. Both appearances resulted in losses to the Miami Heat, but it was a special team that was great because of all the individual pieces and personalities coming together.
Stephenson left the Pacers following the 2013-14 season to join the Charlotte Hornets, but he has also played for the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies since his decision to leave Indiana.
The best season of his career came in that 2013-14 season, with the last two seasons being a major disappointment.
Returning to the Pacers and being matched up with Paul George once again may revitalize Stephenson’s career. At 25 years old, he still has plenty of time to make up for two sub-par seasons.
He would be paired up with Teague and George in a town that should welcome him back because of the way he played when he was a member of the team. He started all 38 playoff games between the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons, averaging over 35 minutes per game in that span.
Stephenson’s earnings potential has gone down since he left Indiana, but he could still end up making eight figures per year based on how teams are handing out money to mid-level players this offseason.
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