Pacers Reportedly Considering Bringing Back Lance Stephenson

Free agent swingman Lance Stephenson may be on his way back to Indiana—the 25-year-old is reportedly negotiating a multi-year deal with the Pacers.

The Grizzlies traded for Stephenson back in February.

Lance averaged 8.3 points and 3.2 rebounds through 69 games last season.

Per the Indy Star:

“That’s home for him,” the source said of what Indianapolis means to Stephenson. “He absolutely loves the town and the organization.”

 

The Pacers have around $10 million left in their salary cap after agreeing to terms with Al Jefferson and could use most of that money to sign Stephenson. Since he left Indiana two seasons ago, Stephenson has continued to have strong relationships with Paul George and (Larry) Bird, the Pacers’ president.

 

He was a massive disappointment last season with the Clippers, averaging just 4.7 points and 2.5 rebounds in 43 games before being traded. He was more successful with the Grizzlies as they gave him more minutes. In 26 games in Memphis, Stephenson averaged 14.2 points and 4.4 rebounds. […] “He played great for Memphis,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers told ESPN.com in May. “He wasn’t a great fit for us. Defensively, that’s where I was more disappointed, and shocked. I look at that body, and that athleticism, and I think: That’s a prototypical great defender. And he’s not that.”

Keep up with the latest signings during the July free-agency period by following our 2016 NBA Free Agent Tracker.