Swarm and Sting
Fansided

Charlotte Hornets: Looking back at pivotal offseason decisions

By Noah Purser

CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 12: (L-R) Michael Jordan, owner of the Charlotte Hornets, talks to Dwight Howard #12 of the Charlotte Hornets during their game against the Utah Jazz at Spectrum Center on January 12, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 12: (L-R) Michael Jordan, owner of the Charlotte Hornets, talks to Dwight Howard #12 of the Charlotte Hornets during their game against the Utah Jazz at Spectrum Center on January 12, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 28: Lance Stephenson #1 of the Charlotte Hornets looks on during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 28, 2015 at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rocky Widner/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 28: Lance Stephenson #1 of the Charlotte Hornets looks on during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 28, 2015 at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rocky Widner/Getty Images) /

Lance Stephenson

*sighs*

Okay, so this obviously could’ve gone a lot better. After Utah matched the Gordon Hayward offer sheet, the Charlotte Hornets looked elsewhere for perimeter help. Coming off an impressive contract year in Indiana, Lance Stephenson was still on the market two weeks into free agency. The Hornets proceeded to sign Lance to a three-year, $27 million deal.

Lance was everything the Hornets front-office could have hoped for and more, at least, by the numbers. He averaged 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists in his final season with Indiana at just 23-years-old. By all accounts, this was an absolute steal for an organization that was starting to look more and more like a free-agency destination and real playoff threat.

Lance could (theoretically) take some play-making responsibilities off of Kemba’s shoulders, play sound defense, and bring another competitive edge to a team hoping to make a real playoff run. This obviously was not the case. Lance was never able to get things going with consistency and reportedly led the team to look for a trade destination for him within the first *three weeks* he was on the team.

The Hornets worked to rid themselves of Lance as quickly as possible and were able to do so in the 2015 offseason. Though this move was a clear mistake in Hornets history, it was another indicator to a weary fan-base that the city could attract talented players and All-Stars. Do I wish I could erase this horrific signing from my brain? Absolutely, seeing as this really derailed the momentum the team had and wasted Al Jefferson’s last year of good basketball.

But at least we swung for the fences, for once!

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