Hornets sign Lance Stephenson, three-year, $27 million deal

[benji]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11221 ... llion-deal

Lance Stephenson has signed a three-year, $27 million deal to play for the Charlotte Hornets, according to league sources.

The deal was signed early Wednesday morning after Hornets owner Michael Jordan, general manager Rich Cho and coach Steve Clifford met with Stephenson and his representatives Tuesday night in Las Vegas.

The contract, which includes a team option for the final season, ends Stephenson's productive yet volatile stay with the Indiana Pacers.

The Pacers offered Stephenson a five-year, $44 million contract on July 1. But Stephenson, who led the league in triple-doubles, felt the offer undervalued him.

Indiana was unwilling to increase its offer.

Like many teams, the Hornets, while fans of Stephenson's play, had concerns about his antics and attitude. But sources say those concerns were alleviated in Tuesday's face-to-face meeting.

[Kevin]

OMFG.

[Vintage]

Puzzling move.
Indiana offered the same money and more years...
Wants to become a free-agent sooner, maybe, and cash in big time.
What's the plan for Indy now?

[Andrew]

Good move by the Hornets. He's a promising young talent when his head's on straight, and that's neither overpaying him, nor locking themselves into a bad long-term deal. If things work out, I'm sure they'll try to sign him to an extension; if all else fails, they have that team option for the third season.

[NovU]

Best bang for the buck signing of this offseason. OFC that's if you don't take his locker room issues into count.

But I love this signing nonetheless. Bad small market teams need to take on this kind of gamble if they really want to get better.

[Vintage]

Absolutely. Great value, if he doesn't act crazy. Same all-around game as Hayward, ferocious defender, much cheaper.
If Vonleh is any good, this team could become a defensive juggernaut.
Just can't fathom how Indiana fills the hole left on the roster...

[Jackal]

Michael Jordan will probably punch him in the fucking head if he acts batshit crazy.

[Alpha_]

Definitely a good acquisition by the Hornets.

[_Steve_]

Really nice addition to the Hornets. I like that move pretty much. Did not expect him to come that cheap.

[stereoxide]

Nice addition for the Hornets I hope he doesn't become a bad influence to Hairston though.

[Stress Fracture]

[air gordon]

Michael Jordan will probably punch him in the fucking head if he acts batshit crazy.

Larry Legend probably already did this and he still was acting like a ron artest wanna be

[rise]

what a great offseason. now if only we didn't blow $7M on Marvin Williams and brought back McRoberts instead...

[_Steve_]

what a great offseason. now if only we didn't blow $7M on Marvin Williams and brought back McRoberts instead...

I think McBob would have bolted for a contender anyway. He could've even joined a contender if LeBron had opted to stay.

[NovU]

what a great offseason. now if only we didn't blow $7M on Marvin Williams and brought back McRoberts instead...

Yeah, you guys stole Hairston and picks from the Heat.


Perhaps losing McBob was a good move. Vonleh will probably see plenty of time at PF now. I think he can be an instant starter for the Bobcats. We'll see.

[Bruce]

if MJ taught Stephenson the art of the trash talk, that would be awesome. No more of this blowing in the ear bullshit.

[NovU]

The Hornets have a pretty decent roster now.

C: Al Jefferson / Cody Zeller / Biyombo
PF: Noah Vonleh
SF: Gerald Henderson / MKG / Marvin Williams / Jeff Taylor
SG: Lance Stephenson / Hairston / Gary Neal
PG: Kemba Walker / Brian Roberts / Jannero Pargo

They also could go small with MKG or Marvin at PF.