Lance Stephenson Signs with the Charlotte Hornets

Free Agent guard Lance Stephenson agreed to a three-year contract worth $27.5 million with the Charlotte Hornerts. Stephenson averaged a 13.8 points, team-high 7.2 rebounds and team-high 4.6 assists last season with the Indiana Pacers. Stephenson averaged a career-high in all three categories last season and finished second place in the NBA’s Most Improved Player of the Year voting. Stephenson led the NBA with five triple-doubles last season and set the Pacers franchise record for most triple-doubles in a season.

Stephenson gives the Hornets one of the best up and coming shooting guards in the league. Stephenson brings playoff experience, perimeter defense and a player that can take over a game without scoring a lot of points. The Hornets definitely upgraded at their shooting guard position and this signing should allow them to make the playoffs again next season. The Hornets also signed free agent forward Marvin Williams; Williams spent one year at the University of North Carolina before entering the 2005 NBA draft after his freshman season.

Williams played the last two seasons with the Utah Jazz and has had a disappointing NBA career. Williams never lived up to the hype and with him being close to UNC where he won a national championship with the Tarheels will help rejuvenate him. If that happens, Williams could possibly become the Hornets starting small forward or another UNC player that Michael Jordan brought in and disappointed him and the city of Charlotte. As long as Stephenson stays out of trouble on and off the court, he should make Jordan and the Charlotte fans happy with this signing.

Photo Credit: AP (photo1), FanDuel (photo2)