3:09pm: The Pacers have officially confirmed that they’re declining Stephenson’s option.
“This was a very difficult decision, but as free agency begins on July 1, we want to have flexibility so that we can prepare for all of our available options,” president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard said in a statement.
2:23pm: The Pacers won’t exercise their 2018/19 team option on Lance Stephenson, reports Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter). By turning down the option, Indiana will save $4.36MM and will allow Stephenson to reach the free agent market.
Stephenson averaged 9.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 2.9 APG for the Pacers in 2017/18, appearing in all 82 games. While his shooting numbers (.427/.289/.661) were all below his career marks, it’s still a little surprising to see Stephenson’s option declined — his option salary was fairly modest, and he was part of Indiana’s rotation for the entire regular season and postseason.
Still, the Pacers are in position to open up some cap room this summer, so parting ways with Stephenson will allow them to maximize their space. According to ESPN’s Chris Haynes (via Twitter), the club has its eye on free agents like Will Barton and Tyreke Evans. Marcus Smart has also been cited as a potential target. If Indiana is unable to sign an impact free agent, the team could also use its cap flexibility to accommodate a trade.
The Pacers’ precise cap outlook for 2018/19 remains somewhat up in the air, as the team has several non-guaranteed salaries and options on its books for next season. Reports have indicated that Indiana is expected to retain Bojan Bogdanovic and Darren Collison, who each have partial guarantees on their $10MM salaries. Al Jefferson also has a partially guaranteed deal, while Thaddeus Young is still weighing his decision on his $13MM+ player option.
In the unlikely event that Jefferson and other players on smaller non-guaranteed salaries are cut and Young turns down his option to sign elsewhere , the Pacers could create upwards of $30-35MM in cap room, though that scenario seems unlikely.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
I’m guessing they’ll just resign him for the room exception
Interesting. He did a good job for them off the bench last year, and they need athleticism on the wing
I’m surprised. He was good in both his stints in Indiana but failed to perform in both Charlotte and LA. He was pretty good with Memphis too. Maybe he’ll reunite with PG13 in LA and join his buddy LeBron lol
Are you insane? He never got to shoot in LA. He shot 49% in 15 games but barely averaged 5 a game. If he had gotten the chance he would have done well.
And in Charlotte, he and Kemba didnt fit, especially b/c that was right before Kemba turned the corner
Say it ain’t so.
I hate to hear this, but I hope this is to sign him to a cap friendly deal for longer term.
This is a bummer, put the pic is awesome.
It was fun watching him guard Lebron, Bogdanovich too.
Pritchard wants Turner and Sabonis together for 25-30 minutes a game. If you add Will Barton, Tyreke Evans, Montrez Harrell, and Aaron Holiday to replace Young and Stephenson, they’ll win the division.
Kudos to whomever found that photo. Well played.
Harrell was listed as a free agent the Pacers would see as a good fit in the Indianapolis Star. He too was an improved player this year. Says he would be the physical presence the Pacers need. He played his college ball at nearby Louisville. Pritchard has Domas Sabonis shooting threes this summer and Myles Turner doing yoga to get stronger. You should see Turner’s photo. He’s ripped.
Mio sorry I am not into guys. Anyway going back to it I was very surprised that a guy who performed so well last season & they could have him so cheap 4+MM, they let him go, no worries he will get a team for sure, also I think counting their salaries I rather keep him than Bogdanovic & Collison, both cost 2/3 times more than him, don’t think they were that much good than him, if at all. Bad move for Indiana.
Mio is the name of a very cute Yorkie!
That’s why Kevin Pritchard is running the team and was up for NBA executive of the year. The Pacers decided after the Cavs series they had to upgrade their perimeter shooting. Stephensen has been the worst on the team. Even while he was a fan favorite, the Indianapolis Star kept up with all the immature stuff he did. It cost him in Charlotte, with the Clippers, in Memphis, and in Minnesota. Larry Bird has been the only one who can control him. Even adding Will Barton, Tyreke Evans, and Montrezl Harrell, the Pacers will be under the salary cap. They don’t spend money foolishly and they still compete. Everybody trusts Pritchard.