Indiana Pacers News: Pacers Part With Stephenson As Free Agent Signs With Hornets, Who Would Take His Scoring Role In Indy?

The latest Indiana Pacers news will certainly leave sad faces as their priced swingman in Lance Stephenson has left Indy after he signed a three-year contract with the Charlotte Hornets worth $27 million. 

According to the report by Bleacher Report, the deal was made after Indiana failed to offer a much better contract for Stephenson. 

However, the Pacers already offered him a 5-year deal worth $44 million, which provides a consistent scorer for a title-contending ream.

Unfortunately, it was not enough for Stephenson as he opted for the shorter term but higher paying $9 million a year contract with the Hornets, with a team option in its final year. 

So basically, it is like Charlotte will be testing Stephenson's skills, and attitude, and decide in the next two NBA seasons if they would push through with his third year, or let him go.

During the 2013-14 season, Stephenson put up stellar numbers for the Pacers as he continued to become a starter for the second straight season. The 23-year-old guard averaged 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. The fact that Stephenson is a rebounder worked wonders for the Pacers who were the number one defensive team in the NBA last season. 

Stephenson is also a notable distributor of the ball, as well as a shot creator that can break down defenses when the team needs him to do so. However, reports say that the management has had problems with his attitude and unprofessionalism, though certainly the Pacers would have wanted him in the team while they continue their title chase for the next couple of years.

Now that free agency is about to end, Indiana needs to act quick and get an immediate substitute of equal caliber. If they fail, the best defensive team in the NBA may get worse in their offensive efficiency, and reaching the NBA Finals may be farfetched than ever.