National Basketball Association

The Charlotte Hornets Tried to Trade Lance Stephenson to the Nets Last Season

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Charlotte Hornets reportedly tried to trade Lance Stephenson to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Joe Johnson back in 2015-16.

According to a recent report from NetsDaily.com, “King refused to go along with a trade proposal in 2015-16 that would have brought Lance Stephenson to the Nets, along with others, and sent Joe Johnson to the Hornets.” Brooklyn’s general manager, Billy King, turned down the potential deal. The Charlotte Hornets were trying desperately to offload Stephenson before last season.

Lance was eventually traded to the Los Angeles Clippers last summer in a deal that involved Matt Barnes and Spencer Hawes. This rumored trade with the Nets would’ve changed the dynamic of the Hornets last season. Acquiring a player like Joe Johnson, as opposed to Spencer Hawes, would’ve helped the team’s perimeter play but they likely would’ve never traded for Jeremy Lamb as a result.

After signing a three-year deal with the Hornets back in 2014, Stephenson was expected to be a star like player for the team. Instead he struggled mightily and was traded twice last year. Lance is now a free agent who may not be signed this offseason. He could potentially be out of the league just a few seasons after signing a huge contract.

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There are plenty of trades in the NBA that are never finalized or never get past the initial inquiry stages. This is another one of those deals but this one poses an interesting dynamic. Joe Johnson helped the Miami Heat defeat the Hornets in the playoffs. He could’ve been playing for Charlotte in that series if this deal happened.

Obviously things would’ve been vastly different if Johnson joined Charlotte and it may not have worked out for both sides. The Hornets would have also had to trade other players along with Stephenson to complete the deal. All in all, it was likely better for the team to trade Lance to the Clippers instead of to the Nets.

Joe Johnson signed a deal with the Utah Jazz this summer and the Hornets had success without making this deal last season. They have also built a talented team and it may not have been possible if the Nets decided to agree to this trade.

This will now be one of those what if moments that fans can look back on. Both teams are now enjoying life after parting ways with Stephenson and Johnson last year. The Charlotte Hornets got their wish of moving Lance last summer.

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