Lance is back! Former second round pick from the 2010 draft, Lance Stephenson, is back again with the team that drafted him six years ago -- the Indiana Pacers. Lance and the Pacers reportedly agreed to a 3 year, $12 million contract.
Rodney Stuckey waived
Earlier today, the Pacers announced that they will waive their veteran guard, Rodney Stuckey, apparently in order to make room for the above mentioned Lance Stephenson. This season Stuckey appeared in 39 games for Indiana, coming of the bench and averaging 7.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.
Hall of famer Larry Bird wished "nothing but the best" for Stuckey, adding that "he was a positive influence not only to this team, but to the community as well."
Back where it all started
Lance Stephenson spent his first four seasons with the Indiana Pacers team that selected him 40th overall back in 2010. He is now set to return to where it all started for him. He had the best season of his career playing under coach Frank Vogel during the 2013-14 campaign when he averaged 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. That Pacers team made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, with Lance being one of the key parts. They were knocked out by a Lebron James-led Miami Heat team.
After parting ways with Indiana in 2014, Stephenson signed a three year deal with the Charlotte Hornets where he only played 61 games.
He averaged 8.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists while his shooting percentage was well below what the Hornets expected when giving him that $27 million deal. He also played for the Clippers, Grizzlies, New Orleans Pellicans, and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Indiana is currently holding seventh place in the Eastern Conference, having won only two games of their previous five.
They are 37-37 so far, however they are hoping that now with the addition of Stephenson they can move up the ladder and secure a winning record at the end of the season. The Pacers are expected to battle with Milwaukee and Atlanta for the sixth or fifth spot in the Eastern Conference playoff standings.
