Lance Stephenson cried when he told the Pacers he was leaving

When Lance Stephenson told the Indiana Pacers he was signing with the Charlotte Hornets, he cried

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The Charlotte Hornets finally made the big splash they have been trying to make for years when they signed former Indiana Pacers’ guard Lance Stephenson to three-year, $27 million deal. Many thought the Pacers would retain Lance Stephenson and he likely did as well.

According to Bleacher Report’s Jared Zwerling, Lance Stephenson cried when he told the Pacers he was leaving.

"Stephenson said it was “scary and tough” leaving Indiana because that’s “all I know”—he said he even cried when he told the team—but he couldn’t pass up a “bigger role” on an emerging team in the Eastern Conference, along with the additional money.In the end, the Hornets had landed a top free agent for a second straight year (after signing Jefferson in 2013), and had created one of the more intriguing starting backcourts in the league with the potential for instant chemistry."

With Kemba Walker already in the back court, the Hornets should have one of the better guard tandems in the league. Expectations in Charlotte are higher than ever and the Hornets are hopeful they can keep their core together for a long-term. Big man Al Jefferson can opt out of his contract and become a free agent after the season. He almost certainly will opt out in order to secure a long-term deal and the Hornets’ commitment to winning could go a long way towards convincing Jefferson to re-sign.

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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