The Los Angeles Clippers have acquired G Lance Stephenson through a trade with the Charlotte Hornets, while the Hornets will receive forwards Spencer Hawes and Matt Barnes in return.
After a strong 13-14 campaign for Stephenson, he was dealt to the Hornets. He fell short of the expectations set upon him, averaging only 8.2 points while playing 26 minutes per game. Even the Hornets’ GM Rich Cho confessed that Stephenson “Didn’t work like we expected”. The Hornets were looking to offload Stephenson this offseason, and they’ve done just that.
The Clippers came into this offseason needing depth on the wings, and the addition of Stephenson should help fill their needs if he returns to his prime form that we saw when he was a member of the Indiana Pacers. 24 year old Stephenson still has time on his side, and certainly has enough talent to be a dangerous guard someday if the Clippers use and develop his skills wisely.
The Hornets are looking to add depth and clear cap space with the acquisitions of Spencer Hawes and Matt Barnes. 7’1″ Hawes will be the tallest member of the Hornets’ roster, and will help grab rebounds and score in the paint for the team who ranked 29th in paint points this season. Barnes, on the other hand, is a veteran sharpshooter who made 36% of his 3-pointers and shot 44% overall in 2014-15. Changing teams is nothing new for the 35 year old, who has now played for 9 different teams in his 11 year career.
In the end, this is a win-win for both teams. The Clippers get a young, athletic guard with huge upside, and the Hornets clear some cap space while receiving 2 veterans that will help mentor and add depth to a young and developing roster.
