Charlotte Hornets to take the next step with Lance Stephenson?
The Charlotte Hornets and Lance Stephenson believe they will take the next step now that they have teamed up.
The Charlotte Hornets signed Utah Jazz restricted free agent forward Gordon Hayward to a monster deal but the Jazz matched, keeping Hayward. It looked like the Hornets were going to completely strike out in free agency but then they made a major coup landing former Indiana Pacers’ guard Lance Stephenson.
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Lance Stephenson himself believes he is a great fit.
“I chose Charlotte because the city, the people and the team,” Stephenson told Hornets.com. “I looked at the team and I was like, ‘Man, I could fit right in.’ And at the same time, being under Michael Jordan, who was my idol growing up. When we were having the first meeting, I was just sitting there in total awe like, ‘Am I really talking to Michael Jordan, the guy who I had all over my walls growing up?’ I’m just happy to be here and bring the team back to what it once was.”
Although Lance Stephenson likely could have thrived in Indiana with Paul George likely out for the season, this is a great spot for him. He will play with another very talented player in the back court in Kemba Walker and should be able to get open looks with offenses focused on Al Jefferson. Lance Stephenson told reporter he believes he and Jefferson “can really help each other out” and doesn’t “think there has ever been a New York backcourt in the league as dynamic” as they are.
With young players like rookies Noah Vonleh and P.J. Hairston in the fold, the Hornets should continue to trend upward.
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.
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