Pacers decline option for Lance Stephenson, making him free agent
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH/AP) – After one of the most successful seasons in recent memory, the Indiana Pacers have decided to bid farewell to a fan favorite.
The blue and gold have declined Lance Stephenson’s $4.3 million player option for next year, making him an unrestricted free agent. The team is opening up some cap space prior to the free agency period that begins July 1.
Stephenson finished last season averaging more than 9 points per game and nearly 3 assists per contest. More importantly, the guard became a major spark off the bench for the Pacers.
“Born Ready” took pride in getting inside of opponents’ heads, especially the head of Cleveland Cavaliers’ player LeBron James.
The move surprised a lot of people as Stephenson is one of the most popular players on the team.
Stephenson issued a statement in an Instagram post:
“‘Since a young’n I always believe in myself. Ready for all challenges, always held my head up and ready for all things GOD put me through. MAN I LOVE THIS GAME’ BORNREADY”
President Kevin Pritchard released a statement:
“This was a very difficult decision, but as free agency begins on July 1, we want to have flexibility so that we can prepare for all of our available options.”
A year ago, Pritchard decided to trade star Paul George before almost surely losing him in free agency and got Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis from Oklahoma City in a deal that turned out remarkably well for Indiana.
Oladipo emerged as a leader, earned his first All-Star trip and won the league’s steals title. Sabonis, a lottery pick in 2016, became a key contributor off the bench. Point guard Darren Collison was the NBA’s most accurate 3-point shooter, and Thaddeus Young and Bojan Bogdanovic thrived in their roles, too. Myles Turner, Indiana’s 22-year-old center, was one of the league’s leaders in blocks.
Four of the starting five and Sabonis are already under contract for next season, with Young being the lone exception. He and backup point guard Cory Joseph have player options.
Stephenson brought grit off the bench for a team that won 48 games, fell just short of finishing in the top four in the Eastern Conference and was within four points late in a first-round, Game 7 loss to Cleveland. Stephenson is an eight-year veteran.
The decision was no doubt wrenching for a team that bonded in finishing strong: Six players approached Pritchard before the trade deadline and pleaded with the GM not to make any moves because they wanted to close out the season together. Pritchard said it a first for him, and kept the team intact.