Hornets Sign Lance Stephenson 3y/27.5 mil (p67)

[MasterIchiro]

If Chris Sheridan said it, then it's probably wrong...

But seriously, Stephenson does make a lot of sense here. Him and MKG would be a dynamic defensive wing duo. Then add a guy like McDermott or Stauskas at 9 and then you've got your offensive minded 6th man.

Yeah Stauskas and McDermott make sense. You would think one of them would be there at 12, which keeps Afflalo in play.

PG-Kemba Walker/pick 24 (Ennis would be nice)/Stauskas
SG-Lance Stephenson/Nik Stauskas/Afflalo
SF-Arron Afflalo/Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
PF-Josh McRoberts/Cody Zeller
C-Al Jefferson/Bismack Biyombo

[ARHornet]

Looks good to me. I don't know that the front office would bring in both Stephenson and Afflalo though.

[Liver_Pooty]

Please bring Stephenson to Charlotte.

[Braggins]

Yeah, I think as far as what he would add to the team and what we need no one would be a better pickup than Lance. He may not quite be the shooter we need but he still helps and is so good in so many areas that would help us and he even provides depth at PG and SF. I'm not even worried about the maturity issues. MJ, Kemba, and Al seem like as good a leadership situation for Lance as any team in the league except probably the Spurs of course. Based on how the Pacers reacted to us after we played them I even think he probably already respects guys like Al and McBob. However, I agree with MIchiro and would take a deal for Afflalo involving the draft in a second just to make sure we upgrade Hendo and probably even still try to sign Lance, especially if we draft a PF.

[Braggins]

Does anyone think the Hornets re-branding could actually make a top FA want to actually sign here?

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

More than rebranding I think that MJ (player owner) + Clifford (good coach) + Kemba / Al (well liked & good players) + high draft pick (more talent coming) + money = attractive situation. Essentially this is a potentially good situation. I don’t think that the team has enough to really put them on the Mello or Love maps for various reasons, but I do think that the Hornets will get long looks from Lance and plenty of other free agents.

That said there are two reasons that lead me to root against the team signing Lance.

1. Chemistry. I’m absolutely convinced that he’s the major reason Pacer’s chemistry fell apart & I don’t have faith that the Hornets can really absorb a guy like him safely yet. The culture and leadership just aren’t strong enough yet. Maybe in another year or two, but now? Sadly not.

2. Playmaking / IQ. I like what Lance brings in terms of shooting, ball handling, and D, but that Pacers team did not have offensive cohesion and he was a big part of it. One of the reasons so many folks like Stauskas is his passing and the extra creativity he potentially brings to the offense. With Lance I fear that we will simply end up with a Hendo ++ situation where we have a better player that creates some of the same issues (black hole on offense, hero ball, etc.). I don’t think that it’s an accident that the two best passing teams are in the finals. Lance brings improvement … but it’s closer to the treadmill type improvement rather than the real take the next step improvement that I’m hoping for.

[BobsBuddy]

I agree wit VB GRAD's assessment. Lance will look here as well as others. And yes the rebranding will have an effect,but the biggest thing drawing FA here will be the direction the team has gone in last two years and that the team is owned by MJ. The Hornets are on the move and have the cap space,2014 draft picks, and coaching to make it interesting in the East,IF they make the right decisions. Is throwing all our cap 12 mil at Stephenson vus spreading it out and signing/trading for starter voids we have at the 2,3,4, positions being considered by MJ,CHo< and Cliff? YEP. I just hope they don't throw all our eggs in one basket. We could end up 32-50 not 50-32.
Think about the following players:
Mo Williams as backup point to Kemba.
Luol Deng as starter at 3 position backed up by MKG
Afflalo as starter at 2 position Backed up By Neal (Trade Hendo/24 for)
Dario Saric starter at 4 position backed up by Zellar

Or we can have Stephenson starting at 2

[Joest2003]

Yeah because why would we want the NBA leader in triple doubles who can guard LeBron? Common guys its a no brainer that we would be so much better and relevant with lance. Heck maybe we can actually get a TNT game.

[mrknowitall215]

This post might belong in the 'Fake Trade Thread' but it revolves around bringing Lance Stephenson to Charlotte so I'll put it here

I've seen quite a few scouts and pundits compare Gary Harris to Gerald Henderson, and Harris is supposedly a lottery talent, so I was wondering how much value would Henderson have attached to the #24 pick

If Charlotte could trade Henderson with #24 to move up enough to take whichever PF prospect Cho covet the most out of Kyle Anderson, Adreian Payne, or Clint Capela

With that extra cap space from trading Henderson it open up a spot at the wing to sign and slightly overpay Lance Stephenson somewhere between $8-10 million for 3 years without creating a overloaded logjam at shooting guard

Of course at #9 I would select James Young, a wing player with upside that's capable of taking over at SG or SF in the future if he reach his potential

[Liver_Pooty]

This post might belong in the 'Fake Trade Thread' but it revolves around bringing Lance Stephenson to Charlotte so I'll put it here

I've seen quite a few scouts and pundits compare Gary Harris to Gerald Henderson, and Harris is supposedly a lottery talent, so I was wondering how much value would Henderson have attached to the #24 pick

If Charlotte could trade Henderson with #24 to move up enough to take whichever PF prospect Cho covet the most out of Kyle Anderson, Adreian Payne, or Clint Capela

With that extra cap space from trading Henderson it open up a spot at the wing to sign and slightly overpay Lance Stephenson somewhere between $8-10 million for 3 years without creating a overloaded logjam at shooting guard

Of course at #9 I would select James Young, a wing player with upside that's capable of taking over at SG or SF in the future if he reach his potential

Henderson has no value at all, unfortunately.

[mrknowitall215]

Henderson has no value at all, unfortunately.

If Henderson has no value at all then 'Tiny' Harris shouldn't be considered a lottery pick

[Liver_Pooty]

Henderson has no value at all, unfortunately.

If Henderson has no value at all then 'Tiny' Harris shouldn't be considered a lottery pick

We have basically tried to get any kind of first rounder for Henderson for what seems like forever now, and we get laughed at.

Not sure what Harris has to do with potentially signing Stephenson.

[mrknowitall215]

Henderson has no value at all, unfortunately.

If Henderson has no value at all then 'Tiny' Harris shouldn't be considered a lottery pick

We have basically tried to get any kind of first rounder for Henderson for what seems like forever now, and we get laughed at.

Not sure what Harris has to do with potentially signing Stephenson.

My previous post revolved around the perceived notion by scouts that Harris will be a similar two-way player to Henderson that's not great at anything but a solid all-around contributor. I've even seen direct NBA comparisons of Harris to Henderson, even though I believe they have different playing styles, but similar ceilings. With that said, if Harris is considered a lottery pick and Henderson was a lottery pick about a half a decade ago, then I don't see no reason why at least one team in the 15-20 range wouldn't accept a trade of Henderson attached to #24 so that Charlotte could move up and select the best PF prospect available to challenge Zeller & Biyombo for minutes

All in all, that trade would open up the passageway to sign Stephenson this offseason

[Liver_Pooty]

If Henderson has no value at all then 'Tiny' Harris shouldn't be considered a lottery pick

We have basically tried to get any kind of first rounder for Henderson for what seems like forever now, and we get laughed at.

Not sure what Harris has to do with potentially signing Stephenson.

My previous post revolved around the perceived notion by scouts that Harris will be a similar two-way player to Henderson that's not great at anything but a solid all-around contributor. I've even seen direct NBA comparisons of Harris to Henderson, even though I believe they have different playing styles, but similar ceilings. With that said, if Harris is considered a lottery pick and Henderson was a lottery pick about a half a decade ago, then I don't see no reason why at least one team in the 15-20 range wouldn't accept a trade of Henderson attached to #24 so that Charlotte could move up and select the best PF prospect available to challenge Zeller & Biyombo for minutes

All in all, that trade would open up the passageway to sign Stephenson this offseason

I would be thrilled with that scenario, but I don't see a team wanting Henderson. Who knows, though.

[mrknowitall215]

I would be thrilled with that scenario, but I don't see a team wanting Henderson. Who knows, though.

I kid a lot because I've never been a fan or friend of Henderson's game since I've seen him playing basketball in high school here in Philadelphia, but he's a solid NBA player and as good of a proven contributor as any team could expect out of a mid-to-late 1st rounder, just a bad fit here in Charlotte between Kemba Walker & Michael Kidd-Gilchrist who happen to be more impactful players

[Man Strength]

lets see..... Lance:

negatives
-3pt % similar to Hendo, ie not very good
-ball stopper on offense - pounds the rock incessantly
-chance he goes full-artest once he finally gets paid
-hated by teammates (this has been an open secret, they cant stand the guy personally)
-below avg ft% for position and doesn't really get to the line often
-will take up 8-10 mil cap space - ie opportunity cost
-mediocre advanced stats

positive:
-young
-still developing
-good d
-solid reb/ast rates for wing
-ufa, so no need to s&t

[mrknowitall215]

lets see..... Lance:

negatives
-3pt % similar to Hendo, ie not very good
-ball stopper on offense - pounds the rock incessantly
-chance he goes full-artest once he finally gets paid
-hated by teammates (this has been an open secret, they cant stand the guy personally)
-below avg ft% for position and doesn't really get to the line often
-will take up 8-10 mil cap space - ie opportunity cost
-mediocre advanced stats

positive:
-young
-still developing
-good d
-solid reb/ast rates for wing
-ufa, so no need to s&t

That pretty much sums it up. High risk with a average to good reward. Signing him, no matter how it end up probably wouldn't be the worst thing that's happen to Charlotte over the past decade, that's for sure

[Man Strength]

lets see..... Lance:

negatives
-3pt % similar to Hendo, ie not very good
-ball stopper on offense - pounds the rock incessantly
-chance he goes full-artest once he finally gets paid
-hated by teammates (this has been an open secret, they cant stand the guy personally)
-below avg ft% for position and doesn't really get to the line often
-will take up 8-10 mil cap space - ie opportunity cost
-mediocre advanced stats

positive:
-young
-still developing
-good d
-solid reb/ast rates for wing
-ufa, so no need to s&t

That pretty much sums it up. High risk with a average to good reward. Signing him, no matter how it end up probably wouldn't be the worst thing that's happen to Charlotte over the past decade, that's for sure

i guess we have a different reaction to the same facts/assumption. i want nowhere near lance, especially at the contact levels he will demand. he could ruin our locker room culture, our on-court chemistry, and still doesnt solve our main issue - shooting.

[mrknowitall215]

lets see..... Lance:

negatives
-3pt % similar to Hendo, ie not very good
-ball stopper on offense - pounds the rock incessantly
-chance he goes full-artest once he finally gets paid
-hated by teammates (this has been an open secret, they cant stand the guy personally)
-below avg ft% for position and doesn't really get to the line often
-will take up 8-10 mil cap space - ie opportunity cost
-mediocre advanced stats

positive:
-young
-still developing
-good d
-solid reb/ast rates for wing
-ufa, so no need to s&t

That pretty much sums it up. High risk with a average to good reward. Signing him, no matter how it end up probably wouldn't be the worst thing that's happen to Charlotte over the past decade, that's for sure

i guess we have a different reaction to the same facts/assumption. i want nowhere near lance, especially at the contact levels he will demand. he could ruin our locker room culture, our on-court chemistry, and still doesnt solve our main issue - shooting.

I'm not really interested in him neither at the contract he's likely to be offered. I've been adamant about not paying more than $6-8 million annually for him depending on how free agency play out. I honestly think if Charlotte draft a SG at #9 and can't find a trade suitor for Henderson then there's no way Stephenson should even be under consideration

[yosemiteben]

Can't leave off the almost 50% fg% from Stephenson's list of positives.