http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/6/15/8786661/lance-stephenson-traded-to-the-clippers-for-matt-barnes-spencer-hawes

The Clippers are taking a risk but are getting a dynamic wing player back in the deal.

Here's the story:

Clippers trade for Lance Stephenson
By Jesus Gomez on Jun 15, 2015, 8:21p

The Los Angeles Clippers and Charlotte Hornets have agreed to trade Lance Stephenson to Los Angeles in exchange for Matt Barnes and Spencer Hawes, reports Marc Stein of ESPN. The deal is now official.

Stephenson joined the Hornets last season after a breakout year with the Indiana Pacers, but never found his bearings in Charlotte and completely fell out of the rotation. Rumors about chemistry issues abounded and his exit from the franchise was a certainty, provided someone was willing to take back the $9 million that are still guaranteed in his contract. After a disappointing second-round exit, the Clippers took the risk of trading for him in the hopes that he can return to form playing for a contender.

It's a gamble by Doc Rivers, considering Stephenson averaged eight points on 37 percent shooting from the field and 17 percent from beyond the arc last season. If the temperamental shooting guard goes back to his previous level, it could pay off and be the type of move that gets the Clippers over the hump. Stephenson is only one year removed from averaging 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists per game and playing above-average defense for a team that made the Eastern conference finals. At his best, the former Pacer is one of the more versatile and dynamic wings in the league.

Losing Matt Barnes leaves the Clippers with a severe lack of height at the wing, which could prove to be problematic if Stephenson doesn't pan out. What makes the trade worthy for Los Angeles is the fact that it will shed the $16 million Hawes is still owed over the next three seasons. The big man was supposed to provide spacing next to both Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, but never reached the level he had showed in the past.

It's unclear how well Barnes and Hawes fit in Charlotte, but with the Hornets not close to contending, they can afford to be patient and try to flip both incoming players for more assets. Barnes could also possibly be waived.

Sources: Hornets undecided about whether they'll keep Matt Barnes for next season, when he's due $3.5M in the final year of his contract.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) junio 16, 2015

credit: sbnation.com

The Clippers were stupid for getting Lance Stephenson because he's ******** and he's not that good. I didn't know he shot 37% from the field last season for Charlotte hahahahahahahahahahaha. That's terrible. He isn't gonna work out anywhere he goes because of his attitude. That's why Charlotte let him go. He was stupid for leaving Indiana because he had a good situation. He was playing well there. I heard Matt Barnes got traded to Memphis after Charlotte waived him. I figured he wasn't gonna be happy about going to Charlotte because he doesn't wanna be on a team that won't be making the playoffs for awhile LOL. Memphis is gonna be in the playoffs for a long time. It'll be interesting to see how long he stays there. I see DeAndre Jordan went back to the Clippers after he had agreed to sign with Dallas LOL. I heard Dallas owner Mark Cuban was upset but there's nothing he can do about it.


Paul Pierce and Josh Smith who was with Houston last season have also joined the Clippers. I'm mad at Paul for leaving the Wizards because he did well with them in the playoffs last season. He made some winning shots against Toronto and Atlanta. It doesn't make sense to me for him to sign with the Wizards for one year and leave. That's stupid and I'm sure his former teammates are hurt about him leaving. I know coach Glenn Rivers coached him in Boston and Paul is from Los Angeles. Those things are the reasons why he signed with the Clippers I bet. He can go to Los Angeles during the offseason if he wants to visit his family. Why does he feel like he has to play in Los Angeles so he can be in the city where he's from? LOL. That's stupid. He had a chance to do something special with the Wizards because they would've been a couple of years away from contending for a championship if he had stayed. They should've beat Atlanta in the playoffs last season.