Lance Stephenson's contract option would have been denied by Pacers | Bleacher's report

Chuck Burton / Associated Press

The Indiana Pacers would be declining their team option on Lance Stephenson's contract, by Shams Charania from Yahoo Sports. The goalkeeper would have won $ 4.36 million next season, but he will instead enter the free agency.

The 27-year-old has averaged 9.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game this season, which is his best result since his first tour with the team in 2013-14.

Leaving Indiana the first time, Stephenson played for five organizations over a three-year period. He joined the Pacers in March 2017 for a three year contract with a third year team option.

Stephenson has appeared in all 82 games this season, which has had a positive impact on the bench averaging 22.6 minutes per game. He has also averaged 12.5 points per game in 11 playoff games in the last two seasons, all against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

During his career, Stephenson averaged 11.1 points per game in the playoffs compared to only 8.8 points per game in the regular season. Even though he was a favorite of Indiana supporters, head coach Nate McMillan knew that there were also drawbacks to his style of play.

"He's doing good things and then we have to … we just have to watch him carefully," McMillan said this season, according to the team's official website. "Some of these pieces can cost you a lot, he must be able to control his emotions along the way."

Stephenson also lacked efficiency, finishing the season with under-0.3 in attack and a plus / minus -2.1, referring to basketball.

Indiana already has a star in the guard of Victor Oladipo, and Bojan Bogdanovic is also a threat to the wing. This reduces the need for Pacers another option in the backcourt.

Considering Stephenson's struggles outside of Indiana and the lack of salary cap space around the league, the guard can face a cold market this summer.