The Charlotte Hornets may have Lance Stephenson on the trade block this season along with names like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Gary Neal, Gerald Henderson, Marvin Williams and Cody Zeller and teams like the Miami Heat, LA Clippers or Toronto Raptors could be interested in making deals before the trading deadline, as those teams may need some support as they push towards the playoffs.
Stephenson signed in the offseason with the Hornets and was their second big signing in as many years after the team added Al Jefferson the previous season. Stephenson broke out in his time with the Pacers, but things went badly last year and he ended up leaving for Charlotte on a three year deal worth nearly $30 million. The Hornets were looked at as a sleeper team in the east after making the playoffs last season, but things have not been off to a good start and now the team may be looking to trade players.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, Grantland.com writer Zach Lowe reports that Charlotte could look at making some major moves to shake up their roster after getting off to a bad start. Lowe writes that basically everyone is on the table apart from Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson, meaning names like Kidd-Gilchrist, Gary Neal, Gerald Henderson, Marvin Williams and Cody Zeller as well as Stephenson could move.
Head coach Steve Clifford has benched Stephenson multiple times and came out to say that he is not a star yet and needs more time to develop. Clifford benched Stephenson for part of the second half against the Warriors and he comes in now averaging nine points and seven rebounds per game this season. The Hornets are 4-14 and while that is not dead in the eastern conference, it is not how the team expected to play this season.
Michael Wilbon spoke on ESPN and reflected on the news about the Hornets and said that Stephenson is likely to get moved, as he simply does not fit with the Hornets and what they are trying to do. Wilbon described the locker room as a professional one and that the players there may not like how Stephenson carries himself, which is one of the reasons why things did not work in Indiana. Wilbon mentioned the Miami Heat as an option, as they have a veteran locker room and could get Stephenson to be a key cog in their rotation.
Miami added Luol Deng, Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger this offseason after losing LeBron James and now they could look at adding more. Kidd-Gilchrist likely will be a target and while he has missed the last 10 games with an injury, he could be a coveted piece when he comes back healthy. Marvin Williams is signed on a two year deal for $14 million and could get moved, while Henderson also should get some attention, although Lowe writes that his $6 million option next season could keep him from getting traded. Zeller is a young player and could be an option as well for teams not in the playoff chase. Miami has started off 9-8 this season and they are currently third in the southeast division standings.
