NBA Rumors: Lance Stephenson’s Free-Agent Market ‘Already Drying Up’

May 30, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson (1) reacts during the second half in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

NBA Rumors

It only takes one team to make an “unwanted free-agent” a wanted, and possibly a very rich man. That’s what Indiana Pacers’ shooting guard Lance Stephenson is hoping for.

Even if that “one” team isn’t the Indiana Pacers. And after their Eastern Conference Finals series against the Miami Heat, there’s a good chance that it might not be.

And according to ESPN’s Marc Stein, that ECF series against the Heat could be “drying up” his free-agent market all around the league. Fast.

"But here’s the thing: Stephenson has turned off potential free-agent suitors with his unreliability—ever since being snubbed for the Eastern Conference All-Star team—as much or more than he’s annoyed fellow Pacers. His free-agent market, according to the latest rumbles on the personnel grapevine, is already drying up."

Is there a huge market for a quirky, trash-talking shooting guard in the NBA free-agent pool this offseason? We’re about to find out.

And, again, it only takes one team. No matter how much the Pacers (mostly Larry Bird) want to get rid of him.