Lance Stephenson: Latest News, Rumors and Speculation on Free-Agent SF

Although Lance Stephenson remains a free agent, the veteran swingman may be zeroing in on his best options this summer.

Continue for updates.

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Reunion with Pacers Reportedly an Option for Stephenson

Monday, July 4

The Indianapolis Star's Nate Taylor reported Stephenson would be willing to return to the Indiana Pacers. Taylor added the interest from the team is mutual.

"That's home for him," a source told Taylor. "He absolutely loves the town and the organization."

Stephenson's best stretch of his NBA career came in Indiana. In four years with the Pacers, he averaged 9.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists. He went from being a role player to becoming one of the more instrumental pieces in the franchise's back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals appearances in 2013 and 2014.

Stephenson's stock cratered once he left Indiana.

He had one of the worst shooting seasons ever with the Charlotte Hornets in 2014-15. He shot 17.1 percent from three-point range, which was tied for the second-worst percentage ever among players who attempted at least one three-pointer per game, per Basketball-Reference.com.

Following his disappointing start to the 2015-16 season, the Los Angeles Clippers dealt Stephenson to the Memphis Grizzlies, where he enjoyed a bit of a resurgence. He averaged 14.2 points per game on 47.4 percent shooting. According to NBA.com, Memphis was 5.2 points better per 100 possessions when he was on the court.

Although Stephenson returning to Indiana would please fans who want to remember better times, he doesn't exactly fit with the current roster. The Pacers would have to move one of Monta Ellis or Rodney Stuckey in order to play him at the 2, while Paul George and C.J. Miles would block Stephenson's path at the 3.

Unless general manager Kevin Pritchard engineers another trade or two, the Pacers would be wise to avoid taking a flier on Stephenson.