Pacers president Larry Bird, who drafted and mentored Stephenson, did not see things working out this way. He expected to come to terms and retain the 23-year-old guard, who instead signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the Hornets.
“I really feel bad about losing him,’’ Bird told Bob Kravitz of the Indy Star. “I hope it doesn’t interfere with our relationship. But I did what I could possibly do to keep him here. Even if he didn’t have any other offers, I was committed to giving him that $44 million because I believe in the kid. If you look at our roster, we have five or six guys in the last year of their deals, plus David (West) and Roy (Hibbert) can opt out, so don’t you think I wanted to keep Lance and Paul (George) locked into long-term deals?''
Stephenson turned himself into one of the NBA most versatile guards over four NBA seasons. Last year Stephenson led the NBA in triple-doubles and averaged 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists.
With that groundwork, it was easy for Bird to see Stephenson maturing into an elite player. In fact, Bird said Stephenson showed flashes of that possibility on a daily basis.
“It’s just disappointing,’’ Bird said. “When I’d go to practices, when he was on, he was by far our best player. And he worked. If you work as hard as he does, you’re going to get better. I’m going to miss the kid, no question. And he’s growing up. That stuff he pulled in the playoffs, that was out of the blue. But I knew how good Lance was and the value he brought to our team.''
SMITH SAFE
Detroit Pistons coach and president Stan Van Gundy has assured forward Josh Smith that he will not be moved in a trade, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.
Earlier reports indicated that the Pistons had engaged in serious talks with the Sacramento Kings about a possible trade. Van Gundy reached out to Smith to inform him that reports of an eminent deal were inaccurate, Wojnarowski reports.
The Kings did make an offer for Smith this spring, but the Pistons did not hear a deal worth pursuing, according to the report. If Smith returns, he will go back to a team that could include Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe in the front court. The Pistons have been willing to listen to sign-and-trade offers for Monroe, but have not experienced much traction on that front, according to Wojnarowski.
Smith averaged 16.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks on a team that was expected to make the postseason last season but fell short. He has three years and $40 million left on his deal.
STERLING TROUBLE
The chief financial officer of Donald Sterling’s properties says the billionaire may be forced to sell a large portion of his real estate empire to cover $500 million in loans if he persists in refusing to sell the Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion.
Darren Schield, who oversees the finances of The Sterling Family Trust, testified Monday that three banks are ready to recall their loans to Sterling because of his decision to dissolve the trust. His move was designed to rescind agreement for the sale of the Clippers, a team he bought for $12 million.
Schield said if Sterling has to dump $500 million worth of apartment buildings he could destabilize the Los Angeles real estate market.
Sterling’s lawyer suggested there are other options for raising the money.
COACH K LOVES LOVE
Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski has intimate knowledge about Kevin Love and Andrew Wiggins as a college coach who also is the head man for Team USA.
Because of his unique position, John Feinstein asked Krzyzewski about the rumored trade including both players in an interview on CBS Sports radio. Taking on the position of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Krzyzewski said he would jump at the chance to trade Wiggins for Love.
“There’s absolutely not one second of hesitancy. I’d trade for Kevin Love,” Krzyzewski said. “That’s not saying anything bad about any of the other youngsters. Love’s an All-Star and he’s a double-double guy. But he’s a double-double guy who can spread the court. There aren’t many double-double guys who can spread the floor; he can go inside and outside. There may be a low post player that gets you a double double, but Love, you can do a lot of different things with him.”
The common belief is Wiggins will become a very good NBA player, but Love is already at that place and the Cavaliers need to capitalize on a chance to win with LeBron James in his prime years. Krzyzewski subscribed to this concept, pointing out that Wiggins has a high ceiling. He was quick to recognize that you already have a bonafide All-Star in Love.
“I’ve coached him on two teams, and no pun intended, I love Kevin Love,” he said. “You look at LeBron, and you have the best player in the world. He’s 29, I’m not saying he’s at the end of his career, but he’s in the second-half of his career. And in the first half of his career he was becoming a great player. It took time, just like with Andrew Wiggins, it takes time. LeBron is a great player right now, you do not want to waste any year of a great player’s career. Love is close to being that. He’s not as great a player as LeBron, but he’s there. You know who Love is right now.”
“They’re always developing, but he’s a consistent outstanding player. And to put that with LeBron and a great player with Kyrie (Irving) who will get there quicker with LeBron around and with Love around he’ll get there even quicker, because you’re influenced by your environment; we all are.”
Contributors: DeAnate Prince, The Associated Press
