The L.A Lakers, Chicago Bulls, and Charlotte Bob Cats are reportedly looking to make a run at Indian Pacers shooting Guard Lance Stephenson this summer in the 2014 NBA free agency according to Sean Deveney of The Sporting News. The always entertaining, high-energy swing-man had a break out season this year, averaging14.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game for the Pacers while leading the league in tripled-doubles and finishing second in NBA Most Improved Player Award voting to the Phoenix Suns' Goran Dragic.
With Stephenson entering this summer as an unrestricted free agent, the Lakers, Bulls, and Bobcats, will try to pry the rising star away from Indiana although the Pacers front office have already expressed interest in bringing Stephenson back and will match any offer from any team but for the right price.
"I always want him back. You just don't let talent like that walk away if you can help it," Bird said in an associated Press on June 3, 2014, but added, "There's going to be a price and we're not going to go over that."
Stephenson has also made it known many times in the past that he wants to remain with the Indiana Pacers, who've hinted that they are ready to offer him a big contract, in the coming season. Numerous NBA analysts, however, believe that it would be difficult for the Pacers to retain Lance Stephenson beyond the 2013-14 season because of Stephenson's "projected eight-figure value" when free agency hits and the franchise's reluctance to go over the luxury tax threshold.
Lance Stephenson, was in many ways, a one-man-entertainment-show for the Pacers. He was always in the hunt for a triple-double and flirted with it every game. He jiggled his hips, flopped as many times as I can remember, and was fined by the NBA multiple times. He even blew in LeBron Jame's ear in the eastern conference playoffs
Yet in spite of his shenanigans and on-court antiques, the 23 year old guard is still one of the most important players in the Pacers. He is a rising a star and has proven time and time again that he can handle the pressure of the game. Any team who sees past Stephenson's comedic behavior and realize the potential and competitive edge that he brings will surely be making a serious run for him. The Lakers, Bulls, and Bobcats sure did and if any of these teams should make an offer that is simply hard for Indiana to match, then we might as well be seeing the player known as "Born Ready" playing for another team this coming 2014 NBA Free agency.
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