The Charlotte Hornets have expressed renewed commitment to keep shooting guard Lance Stephenson despite a rough start this season. However, with the Denver Nuggets showing interest in trading for the mercurial winger, the Hornets' stance might change in the coming weeks, especially if swingman Aaron Afflalo is included in the trade package.
Nick Borges of ESPN reported the Hornets have decided to pull Stephenson from the trading block for now after getting lean trade offers at the start of NBA trade period last week.
According to the source, the Hornets are giving Stephenson the chance to recuperate from his groin injury and prove his worth between now and February trade deadline.
Underwhelmed by the quality of trade offers they've received for Lance Stephenson, the Charlotte Hornets have decided to keep the volatile guard "for now,'' according to league sources.
Another factor in the Hornets' decision to keep Stephenson is their growing belief that a groin injury has hindered him all season and played a significant role in his lack of production.
With Stephenson on the sideline, the Hornets are on a roll in the last three games, winning against the Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets - which one of the team that reportedly inquired Stephenson's availability.
"Stephenson has received trade inquiries from multiple NBA teams, but the 24-year-old has hoped to remain part of the Hornets. Behind Brian Shaw's bond with Stephenson, the Denver Nuggets emerged as an interested suitor for him this season," RealGM reported.
Reports indicated former Indiana Pacers assistant and current head coach Brian Shaw as the driving force behind Nuggets' interest to acquire Stephenson. Denver has been a disappointment so far this season, winning just 12 out of 28 games despite boasting one of the deepest rosters in the NBA.
League insiders it would be hard for the Nuggets to trade for Stephenson, but a deal could be done if they are willing to add Aaron Afflalo to the package.
Before signing Stephenson to a three-year, $27 million deal, the Hornets attempted to work out a trade with Orlando for Afflalo, but the Magic decided to ship the former UCLA standout to the Nuggets in exchange for Evan Fournier and a second round pick.
The 24-year old Stephenson is averaging 10.2 points, 4.8 assists and 6.8 rebounds per game and shooting roughly 38 percent from the field, including a disastrous 15 percent from beyond the three-point arc. On the other hand, the 29-year old Afflalo had a down year from last year's stint with the Magic, but still putting up a decent statsline by averaging 14.8 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 44 percent from the field (35 percent from deep).
No trade is imminent as of now, but the Stephenson to Nuggets is worth monitoring for in the coming weeks.
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