Was the Charlotte Hornets' signing of Lance Stephenson the steal of free agency?

After signing big man Al Jefferson to a three-year, $41 million deal last season, the Charlotte Hornets hoped to make a similar splash in free agency this season and although it took some time, they wound up doing just that.

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After the Utah Jazz matched the four-year, $63 million offer sheet the Hornets signed forward Gordon Hayward to, the Hornets signed point guard Brian Roberts and forward Marvin Williams. Then, they landed their big fish, signing talented but troubled Indiana Pacers’ guard Lance Stephenson to a three-year, $27.4 million deal.

Nate Duncan of Basketball Insiders believes Stephenson could be the steal of free agency.

"I think they made a good bet on the talent of Stephenson, and the deal is a very team-friendly one, especially the 3rd year player option. With some of the other contracts that went to wing players, Lance could turn out to be a steal. He may not, but the risk and opportunity cost was very low at that price."

Stephenson averaged 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game this season while shooting 49.1% from the field, 35.2% from beyond the arc and 71.1% from the charity stripe in the regular season. In the postseason, he put up 13.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. He shot 45.5% from the field, 35.8% from downtown and 71.4% from the free throw line. In his four-year career, he has averaged 9.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game while shooting 46.7% from the field, 32.5% from three and 71.1% from the free throw line.

Be sure to check FanSided’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league all summer long.

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Was the Charlotte Hornets’ signing of Lance Stephenson the steal of free agency?

By Andrew Melnick | Jul 29, 2014