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After being ousted in the second round of the playoffs by the Houston Rockets last month, it’s become clear the Los Angeles Clippers currently don’t have enough to win the Western Conference. According to a report by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the Clippers are discussing a deal with the Charlotte Hornets that would bring Lance Stephenson to Los Angeles.
Yahoo Sources: Clippers, Hornets discussing a trade centered on Lance Stephenson. http://t.co/cDDCNs2Pn7
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) June 15, 2015
After a breakout campaign in 2013-14 with the Indiana Pacers, Stephenson signed a three-year, $27 million deal with the Hornets last offseason. The versatile small forward was a major disappointment and didn’t come close to earning the new contract. In 61 games, Stephenson averaged 8.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game.
The 24-year-old has always been a streaky shooter, but he completely lost his shot when he got to Charlotte. In 2014-15, Stephenson shot 37.6-percent from the field and a remarkably-horrendous 17.1-percent from three.
Despite the dreadful season, the rumored deal is absolutely one worth making for Doc Rivers and the Clippers. According to Wojnarowski, Matt Barnes and Spencer Hawes would be the players sent the other way in order to acquire Stephenson.
Like Stephenson, but not quite to the same degree, Hawes was also a disappointment last year, his first with the Clippers. The offensively-minded big man didn’t play the minutes or have the impact many people expected when he first signed. Barnes is a rotational player, but shouldn’t be a starter on a team with realistic hopes to at least reach the Finals.
Stephenson is just 24 years old, so he still has plenty of room to grow. He’s almost always been a problem off the court and never seemed to figure it out in Charlotte. Coming to a veteran team with a strong leader at head coach like Rivers would be a perfect spot for him to find his game again.
