You should want to return to the Pacers if you're in Lance Stephenson's shoes; Game 6 against the Heat ain't a great way to go out. The guard managed to piss off Larry Bird, tried to clown LeBron James and inadvertently ended up clowning himself, and had his teammates wondering whether he going to comeback.
Well, Stephenson wants to come back and Bird wants him back, too. The question is if resigning the restricted free agent is possible. Stephenson's maturity is a perceived issue, but cap space is a pretty concrete one.
Bird: "Lance wants to be here, there’s no question about it. … So now it’s just getting the terms right and try to get him back."
Pro Basketball Talknotes the Pacers are struggling with the cap (they'll be over even if Stephenson walks). So a question heading in the offseason is just how much Bird and the front office are willing to spend on Stephenson—who is a dangerous and improving asset once you look past the shenanigans.
RELATED: The 25 Worst Free Agent Signings in NBA History
[via Pro Basketball Talk]