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Lance Stephenson of Indiana Pacers had a history with LeBron James of Cleveland.
Clark Wade / IndyStar
Lance Stephenson celebrates an Indiana shot, Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis on Monday, March 5, 2018. Indiana won 92-89.(Photo: Robert Scheer / IndyStar)
INDIANAPOLIS – The decision of the Indiana Pacers to leave Lance Stephenson should not be a surprise, but giving up her rights to make it a free agent on July 1st is the best sign that they are looking to do something important for improve the list.
The decision not to activate what would have been his salary of $ 4.3 million for 2018-2019 frees up additional money for the free agency while President Kevin Pritchard goes hunting for big game game. The Pacers could have up to $ 30 million under the tax threshold depending on whether Thad Young, Bojan Bogdanovic, Al Jefferson or Joe Young come back. Of course, the Pacers and Stephenson could still renegotiate a new deal after taking on other priorities.
"It was a very difficult decision, but as the free agency starts on July 1, we want to have flexibility to prepare all our options," said Pacers chairman Kevin Pritchard in a press release.
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The Pacers need to score and his absence has proved detrimental in losing a series of seven games against the Cleveland Cavaliers. They averaged 101 points and only scored more than that once.
Stephenson shot 29 percent from 3 last season coming off the bench but was a spark during the playoffs. He made 5 of 9 3 there, but these were mostly wide open looks. The defenses do not account for the bow that clutters the ground and removes the lanes, causing offensive loopholes for long periods.
Clearly, Pritchard wants to change the landscape for Oladipo, his All-Star, who has been bottled by several defenders in a winnable series with Cleveland. They have had enough to win 48 games in the regular season and have a No. 5 seed, but winning the playoffs requires the Pacers to get a better level.
There are not many big names on the open market with Tyreke Evans being among the best available at Stephenson's position. He was a 40 point scorer at 3 points last season and has the 6-6 size that the Pacers covet in the backcourt.
If Pritchard is targeting a major move in the trading market, it is likely that he has tested the waters, made the calculations and knows how much space is needed to get his approval.
Stephenson turned to Instagram saying, "Since I was a young, I've always believed in myself, I was ready to take on any challenge, I still held my head and I was ready for all the things that GOD had made me live.
Stephenson was a fan favorite – although also known for his Good Lance and Bad Lance moments.
"He's like a college player," said Domantas Sabonis laughing during the season. "But he's doing some fun stuff in the NBA, it's great to have it with us."
Stephenson became a fan favorite for the Pacers when he entered the starting lineup in 2012-13 and helped the team lead the finals of the Eastern Conference. He declined a $ 44 million five-year offer from the team after the 2013-14 season to sign with Charlotte for three years and $ 27 million. He wrestled with Charlotte, was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers and traded to Memphis. He was released, signed and canceled by New Orleans, and then signed two 10-day contracts with Minnesota before becoming a free agent again in March 2017.
"Some teams, I would only have three dribbles, or I should stay in the corner," said Stephenson when asked why he was more effective with the Pacers. "(Pacers coaches) let me be myself, they do not protect me, or tell me not to do things If I play freely, if the coaches let me play, you'll see the talent in me.
Nate McMillan, Pacers coach, added: "There is a fine line where teams, you know, (part of his game) would be unacceptable, I think in Indiana we have tried to take advantage of what he brings to the ground.I let him play the game but you have to show some maturity. "
Statistics reflect Stephenson's special connection with Indiana, especially in home games.
He averaged 10.6 points on 47.4% of the shots with rebounds of 5.1 and 3.4 assists in the Pacers home games. In the rest of their games, these numbers dropped to 7.9 points on 43.0%, 4.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
When Rodney Stuckey's season ended due to an injury in 2017, the Pacers brought Stephenson back. He immediately imposed a spark, averaging 7.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists in the last six games of the regular season, then raised those totals to 9.2 points and 5.2 rebounds last season.
Stephenson is best known for challenging LeBron James – giving him a choke, blowing in his ear and playing physical defense – and other antics on the pitch, like simulating playing a banjo.
The behavior often did not help the Pacers, James responded with great performance after the sign of throttling and spike. But Stephenson remained a fan favorite.
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