The Pacers reportedly declined Lance Stephenson’s 2018-19 player option Monday. His former teammate Paul George was not a fan of the decision.
George and Stephenson played together in Indiana for parts of five seasons. The Pacers traded George to the Thunder last offseason after he declined to sign a long-term contract.
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George addressed the moves in an Instagram post.
“Wow and I was the bad guy huh?!” George wrote in a caption. “In this business you do what’s right for YOU!”
Wow and I was the bad guy huh?! In this business you do what’s right for YOU! ??♂️ #PacerLegend
Stephenson will now enter free agency after the Pacers opted not to pick up his $4.3 million team option for 2018-19, according to a report from Yahoo Sports. Indiana wants to maintain financial flexibility heading into the free agency period, which begins July 1, the report says.
The Pacers will now maintain as much financial flexibiliy as possible entering July 1 free agency. Stephenson enters market, too. https://t.co/rOZvIjdQbH
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 25, 2018
The Pacers could have between $10 million and $30 million in cap space this offseason, according to a report from ESPN.
The cap situation in Indiana is fluid based on the $13.9M Thaddeus Young player option and the partially guaranteed $10M Al Jefferson contract. The Pacers currently project to have anywhere from $10M to $30M in room.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 25, 2018
Stephenson averaged 9.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game off of Indiana’s bench last season. The 27-year-old guard, who began his career with the Pacers, re-signed with the team in March 2017.
The Pacers finished the regular season with a 48-34 record and earned the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. They pushed the Cavaliers to a Game 7 but were ultimately eliminated in the first round after a 105-101 loss in Cleveland.
