ORLANDO, Fla. — Lance Stephenson is open to returning to the Indiana Pacers, to the team that took a chance on him in 2010 and where he spent his first four seasons as a pro.
“If (given) a chance I would love to come back home,” Stephenson told VigilantSports.com Monday.
Could Stephenson and Paul George pair up again? Lance is interested.
He is well aware of Pacers fans and how receptive they are to the possibility of him once again playing for the Blue & Gold.
Six of the last eight tweets that he “Liked” on Twitter, including the most recent four, are all related to the Pacers — and hundreds more have left comments all over his Instagram account.
“We will see what happens. I’m just waiting for the call,” he said.
[Stephenson enjoys talk ‘about the old times’ with Paul George, George Hill]
There are currently “a solid group of teams” that have shown interest in him four days into NBA free agency. The biggest thing Lance needs — and he knows this — is stability. After four seasons in Indy, in an environment that fit him well, Stephenson has suited up for three teams over the last two seasons.
“Our number one priority is finding the right fit for him,” his agent, Al Ebanks, wrote to VigilantSports.com in a text message. “Lance still has close friends there and would absolutely be open to that. He loved his time there and has always been grateful for all the support he has gotten from Pacers fans over the years.”
VIDEO: Lance Stephenson on adapting to his situation, the love he still feels around Indy
Stephenson passed up $44 million guaranteed from the Pacers over five years — $8.8 million per year — on the first day of free agency in 2014, at the conclusion of his rookie deal. Instead, he opted to sign with Michael Jordan’s Charlotte Hornets for three years, $27.4 million. But only the first two years and $18 million were guaranteed.
The Pacers listened to what it would take to get him back from Charlotte during the 2014-15 season. They know him better than anyone, both the pros and cons of having him on your team, and they ultimately decided to pass.
The Hornets traded Stephenson to the Los Angeles Clippers 13 months ago, and then the Clippers moved him to Memphis in mid-February. He averaged 14.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per contest in 28 games with the Grizzlies, who declined to exercise their team option worth $9.4 million one week ago.
After trading for Jeff Teague and Thad Young, plus adding Al Jefferson for $10 million, Indiana has approximately $9.4 million to spend in free agency. The salary cap for the 2016-17 season is set at $94.143 million.
Stephenson is currently in Las Vegas training once again at Impact Basketball.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHczarlDbeb/
Nate Taylor of the Indianapolis Star first reported the possibility of a reunion.
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