This trade marks the end of a relationship that never even made it through the honeymoon phase.
Now that Lance Stephenson is officially a Clipper, let us not make him the scapegoat for all the Hornets' woes during the 2014-15 season.
The enigmatic small forward never really meshed well in the Queen City. Coming off solid seasons in Indian, the Hornets' were hoping he could at least match, or at best exceed his output as a Pacer. Well, that never came to fruition. Stephenson was in and out of the starting line up, and down the stretch he received a couple 'Did Not Play Coach's Decisions' (DNPCD).
With all of the speculations swirling around Stephenson last season, it came as no surprise to those of Hornets’ Nation when notifications from varied sports apps went off with the message, "Hornets considering trade with the Los Angeles Clippers." After all, the Hornets were trying to deal Lance for majority of the year. His erratic shooting, especially from three (17 percent, worst in the NBA), careless turnovers, and lack of defensive prowess, all lead to the sinkhole season that was.
What does this move mean for the Hornets? Not a lot.
The Hornets traded Barnes and get a backup center in Hawes who averages 5.8 points last season.
NBA Insider for Yahoo Sports online writer Adrian Wojnarowski Tweeted in response to Barnes, "It's no surprise because there really is no spot for him. Barnes only has $1 million guaranteed and he'll become a free agent.”
Big man Spencer Hawes will be a Hornet, but how effective he will be?
Will he regain his form from two seasons ago when he was with the Cavaliers?
"He didn't have a good year last year with the Clippers, but I think he just needs to have a comfort level. We're just looking forward to getting him here and getting him accustomed to our offense and defense and then having him work with our coaches," said Hornets GM Rich Cho. "Hawes is a career 35 percent shooter from three — an area of significant need for the Hornets.”
Hawes should be a serviceable big to spell an aging Al Jefferson.
As for Stephenson, who knows the real reason he did not work out with the Hornets. One thing is for sure, dealing Lance is the first step Charlotte took in getting back to being a respected franchise in the NBA. The Hornets still have a glaring deficiency from beyond the arch, they need a "knockdown shooter" from the wing position.
Extras:
-The Hornets traded SF Gerald Henderson and PF Noah Vonleh to Portland for Nic Batum. Batum is clearly an upgrade on the wing. His career numbers are 11.2 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 4.8 APG. The one stat that stands out the most for the Hornets, is his career 36.3 percent shooting from three point land. The Hornets were last in three point shooting last year at 31.8 percent.
-The Hornets traded Luke Ridnour and a 2016 second-round pick to Oklahoma City for guard Jeremy Lamb.
-Frank Kaminsky was the team’s number 9 pick in the draft. Kaminsky is participating in Orlando Summer League. The seven foot big man should help space the floor for fellow big man Al Jefferson.
-Shooting guards P.J. Hairston and Troy Daniels have been participating in the Orlando Summer League. The two guards are vying for the “knockdown shooter” opening on the team. Position competition should make the cream rise to the top.
