Charlotte Hornets are not exactly off to the start they imagined this season. 6-17 and in dead last in the South East division. The Hornets though aren’t just going to sit around and let things figure themselves out, they’ve began preliminary talks with teams about some trades.
According to earlier reports, the team had every player available for a trade besides Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson.
Now, according to reports, they’re looking at moving their newest big name free agent acquistion, Lance Stephenson, who is now available for trades under NBA rules.
From ESPN.com’s Marc Stein:
Sources told ESPN.com that the Hornets, just 23 games into the Stephenson era, have already begun the process of searching for potential trade partners that would be willing to take the talented but enigmatic former Indiana Pacer off their? hands.
Although sources say no deal involving Stephenson is imminent, Monday is the first day that players signed to new contracts in July are eligible to be dealt, which typically triggers what teams leaguewide regard as “trade season” over the next two months leading into the annual February trade deadline.
One factor that could ultimately lead to a deal, despite Stephenson’s ragged and discouraging start, is the fact that the three-year, $27 million deal he received over the summer from Charlotte owner Michael Jordan is only guaranteed through next season. The third year of the deal is not guaranteed, which theoretically enhances Charlotte’s chances of finding another team willing to gamble ?on the mercurial swingman.
And then Yahoo! Sports Adrian Wojnarowski fleshed out some intriguing details:
Charlotte, Indiana had preliminary conversations on possible return of Lance Stephenson, but talks haven't gone far, sources tell Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) December 14, 2014
So far, Charlotte's been unwilling to attach a first-round pick to unload Stephenson. That could've kick-started conversation with Pacers.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) December 14, 2014
After brief contact w/ Hornets, Nets and Clippers researching Stephenson's time in Charlotte, but yet to show serious interest, sources say.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) December 14, 2014
Stephenson back with the Pacers? Lance going back to his hometown of Brooklyn? Stephenson going out to Cali to play under Doc Rivers and play with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin? All very intriguing. We’ll see what team is going to make the first move.
