dmutombo321 wrote:Lance Stephenson needs to be this team’s top offseason target, hands down.
I’m not saying he’s going to make the monumental jump we saw from James Harden, but, like Harden during his time in OKC, his number’s are greatly suppressed due to deference to other players on offense in Indy (George, Hibbert).
If you were to plug him in on this Charlotte roster as starting 2 guard, he would be good for 20/5/5 on high percentage shooting (he’s avg 14/7/5 right now with 50%fg on only 11 shots per game).
The guy has figured it out. He defends tenaciously, handles the ball like a PG, has ridiculous court vision and can score. He’s an improved outside shooter (nearly 35%) and he appears to have conquered the maturity problems that plagued him early in his career. In terms of brute strength, he’s the strongest 2 guard in the league and he plays with a contagious swagger. Plus, he is only 23 years old. Stephenson and Walker, both being from NYC know each other and play together on occasion during the summer.
The Pacers desperately want to keep him and he wants to stay. But they’ve got almost 65 million in committed payroll on the books for next season. With Gordon expiring, I’d offer Stephenson up to 10mil per, maybe even 11 in attempt to lure him away, perhaps even having Jordan put in the recruiting call.
Hayward is going to cost at least that much and is barely mustering 40% fg % and, despite his reputation as a shooter, is shooting a worse FG% than Stephenson from the 3.
If we sign Lance Stephenson, put another shooter next to him at SF with our mid first like a Hood or Mcdermott to punish opponents when they double Jefferson next year, then we’ll be a legit play off team.
Walker / FA backup or PG with Portland pick
Stephenson / Hendo (or Taylor if we end up dumping hendo’s contract) / CDR
Hood or McDerrmott / MKG
McBob / Zeller
Jefferson / Biz
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrOdvSYOiGw[/youtube]
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Lance Stephenson is awesome player, he has great statistics and it will be great if he will sign in the Hornets franchise, but I guess he will accept his option at the Pacers, and I don't see why not. He in great relationship with the Pacers fans, with the staff and the other player there. I believe he will sign to more year at Indiana in the off-season. Of course it will be awesome if Stephenson will sign at Charlotte, but I think it's not realistic.
