UPDATE: the trade is now official.
Press Release: Clippers Acquire Lance Stephenson from Hornets → http://t.co/OGIMWO4nMr pic.twitter.com/xW1OtliRJ4
— Los Angeles Clippers (@LAClippers) June 16, 2015
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According to multiple reports, the LA Clippers and Charlotte Hornets are finalizing a trade involving Lance Stephenson, Spencer Hawes and Matt Barnes.
Stephenson, 24, had worn out his welcome in Charlotte after one disastrous season and he’ll now join Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Doc Rivers in Los Angeles.
The Hornets are expected to part ways with Barnes.
Per Yahoo! Sports:
Stephenson has two years left on his contract, but the 2016-17 season is a team option of $9.4 million. So, the Clippers would only be committed to paying him the $9 million owed this season – and could then let him go if things don’t work out. For Clippers president and coach Doc Rivers, he’d be counting on Stephenson to recapture the production of his four seasons in Indiana, where he developed into an important player on a two-time Eastern Conference finalist.
The Clippers are considering the idea of using Stephenson as the primary ballhandler when All-Star Chris Paul is out of the game, league sources said. Stephenson struggled with the way Charlotte point guard Kemba Walker dominated the ball on offense, and would assuredly find a similar situation with Paul in Los Angeles.
Hawes has three years and $17 million-plus left on a free-agent deal that he signed in summer 2014. He struggled for the Clippers and was unable to consistently crack the rotation. The Hornets are desperate for perimeter shooting, and he would give them a stretch-4 man with good 3-point range and passing skills. Barnes has one year at $3.4 million left on his deal, and would bring Charlotte wing defense and toughness.
