NBA News: Lance Stephenson returns to Indiana, aims to help Pacers make the playoffs

Lance Stephenson was one of the rising stars for the Indiana Pacers some years back. However, he wanted to have a bigger role and salary with another NBA team and moved to the Charlotte Hornets in the 2014 offseason.

Stephenson with the Hornets did not work out and he has since become an NBA journeyman playing for the Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans and Minnesota Timberwolves the last two seasons.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports confirmed the Stephenson to the Pacers deal, reportedly for a three-year contract worth $12 million. According to the same report, the third and final year of the deal is a “team option,” which means the Pacers can release him early.

In connection with Stephenson move, the Pacers released veteran guard Rodney Stuckey, who has played limited games this season due to an injury.

Stephenson played his first four NBA seasons with the Pacers from 2010 to 2014. He was the second round pick by the Pacers, or the 40th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. He surprised many by becoming a key player in Indiana in his third year with the team.

In the 2013-2014 NBA Season, Stephenson averaged 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 78 games started for the Pacers.

He was hoping to get a big contract but settled with a two-year $18 million contract with the Hornets in 2014. Stephenson’s stint in Charlotte did not work out and he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in June 2015. Some months later, he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies for a 2019 first round pick and Jeff Green. The Grizzlies declined the $9.41 million contract before the current season and he became an unrestricted free agent.

Stephenson agreed to a contract with the Pelicans in Sept. 2014 but was eventually waived. He recently signed a 10-day contract with the Timberwolves but his stint was also short-lived in Minnesota.

Now back with the Pacers, the Stephenson, who is just 26 years old, is hoping he finds his old game back like in his first stint in Indiana. He will be reunited with All-Star Paul George, who continues to be the face of the Pacers franchise.

Stephenson back in Indiana could work out considering the Pacers need wingmen to help out Jeff Teague, C.J. Miles and Monta Ellis. He will replace the injury-prone Stuckey and will try to help the Pacers get to the NBA Playoffs this season. The Pacers are one of the many teams battling for a playoff spot in the last two weeks of the regular season.