It has been a long, frustrating journey through the NBA abyss for “Born Ready” Lance Stephenson ever since he decided to leave the Indiana Pacers and sign a three-year, $27 million contract with the Charlotte Hornets in the summer of 2014.
After being a breakout star and valuable play maker for a Pacers team that came tantalizingly close to the NBA Finals, averaging 14-7-4 his final season, he quickly flamed out in Charlotte and has played for five teams in the past three seasons, averaging 8-3-3 per game in stints with the Hornets, Clippers, Grizzlies, Pelicans and Timberwolves.
Stephenson has now agreed to return to the Pacers on a three-year, $12 million deal.
Report: @Pacers bring back Lance Stephenson in time for playoffs; deal for three-years, $12 million https://t.co/qs6p2YGCZH pic.twitter.com/pK8RZ8Rwm5
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) March 29, 2017
This is a major step up for Stephenson who has struggled to stay employed in the NBA this season and a clear desperate move by the Pacers to try and show their commitment to trying to add a spark for the 2017 NBA Playoffs and one would assume appease Paul George, who had great success with Lance Stephenson as a teammate from 2011 to 2014.
The Pacers could also use Stephenson for depth as they are dealing with an injury to Glenn Robinson III.
Stephenson averaged 3.8 points per game in his recent 10 day stint in Minnesota, but you can expect him to have the opportunity to make a difference for the Pacers down the stretch this year.
I am told this is Roy Hibbert’s reaction to the Stephenson signing…
When Roy Hibbert hears about Lance Stephenson going back to Indiana pic.twitter.com/b5UM9ICTls
— Chris Posada (@CPoTweetsStuff) March 29, 2017
That was harsh I know, I apologize Roy Hibbert.
