The Pacers are about to enter rebuilding mode whenever they are able to trade Paul George, which could be any day now if they get their wishes, after George told them he wouldn’t re-sign with them next summer. With George leaving, it’s time for the Pacers to shift towards a youth movement, with center Myles Turner likely being the focal point of the rebuild.
Jeff Teague, who the Pacers acquired last year from the Hawks, is a free agent this year, and while the hometown product would likely choose to stay in Indiana if the price was right, the Pacers don’t have much need to sign a veteran point guard for big money if George is leaving. That will certainly leave Indiana with a hole to fill at point guard for the immediate future, but the Pacers have an idea for that.
For Pacers rebuild, source says Kevin Pritchard is considering Lance Stephenson as the point guard. Lance has lost 10-plus lbs, looks great.
— Gregg Doyel (@GreggDoyelStar) June 19, 2017
Oh yes, Lance Stephenson, experimental point guard, could be a real thing next season. The Pacers signed Stephenson to a 3-year, $12.5 million deal last season with the third year as a club option, and Stephenson returned to the form that he had shown in his first stint in Indiana. The mercurial Stephenson, for whatever reason, feels at home in Indiana and plays, by far, his best basketball when a member of the Pacers, but asking him to be the point guard might be a stretch.
The NBA 0ffseason muscle watch is always a fun time, as we hear about how guys are getting into the best shape of their lives ahead of the upcoming season. Making Lance the point guard could accomplish a few goals for the Pacers next season. It would be highly entertaining to watch Stephenson try to run the show, and it also could simultaneously be a disaster leading to losses. The Pacers need a reason for people to show up, but also need to lose and try to land a new superstar in the draft, and point guard Lance could help accomplish both.
The biggest question is whether that would stunt the growth of Myles Turner, but considering Stephenson has always been a crafty facilitator when he wants to be, there could be worse options out there.
