The Charlotte Hornets are shopping free agent acquisition Lance Stephenson, and his former team is willing to take him back.
Indiana Pacers owner Herb Simon says he’s down with the idea, but that it’s up to team president Larry Bird to pull the trigger.
Bird famously vouched for Born Ready when he entered the L, and helped guide his development.
Per the Indy Star:
“I’d be OK with it but it’s not up to me. Larry (Bird) has to decide if he fits,” Simon said prior to Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Stephenson, 24, played his first four years in the NBA with the Pacers and thrived during the 2013-14 with career-best averages of 13.8 points and 7.2 rebounds – the most rebounds among guards in the league. However, Stephenson has not flourished in Charlotte after leaving in free agency. Stephenson’s shooting percentage (.389) and scoring average (10.4) have declined and the Hornets have started the season with a disappointing 6-17 record.
“First of all, we don’t know if they’re really trading him, at least I don’t know,” Simon said about the Hornets. “I know they made some calls and we would have to (figure out) how he fits back into the team. Those are all basketball decisions and Larry and Kevin (Pritchard) are the best to answer that.
