Lance Stephenson, Pacers agree to three-year deal

The Indiana Pacers have reportedly signed Lance Stephenson to a three-year deal making for a bit of a reunion in Indiana.

Lance Stephenson is returning to the place where his career started as the Indiana Pacers have signed Stephenson to a three-year contract with a player option in the third year.

After bouncing around with the Hornets, Clippers, Grizzlies, Pelicans, and Timberwolves in the last three years, Stephenson finally has a home for the next two to three years, according to insider Adam Zagoria.

The Pacers are likely hoping for a bit of a resurrection out of Stephenson as he had the best year of his career with the Pacers in the 2013-14 season, averaging 13.8 points, 4.6 assists, and 7.2 rebounds. He hasn’t looked the same since leaving Indiana, which is why it seems strange to lock him up for three years, but he fits nicely in the new system that Nate McMillan is trying to implement.

Stephenson can be a real breath of fresh air to a Pacers second unit that is one of the worst in the league in minutes, rebounds, and assists. After releasing Rodney Stuckey today, Stephenson will likely take over as the primary ball handler on the second unit, where he should thrive.

After the Pacers loss to the Timberwolves Tuesday night, Paul George called out his teammates stating, “There’s no urgency, no sense of urgency, no winning pride… this locker room is just not pissed off enough.”

This should be an area that will change quickly when Stephenson lands in Indiana. From blowing in LeBron’s ear and listening in on Spoelstra’s huddles, Stephenson brings a swagger and competitive fire that few players can match.

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Most importantly, Stephenson has a clean slate to work with in a system that plays to his strengths. What he makes of this opportunity we can only wait and see.