Lance Stephenson isn't being shy about wanting to play for the Brooklyn Nets. It would be a "blessing," he told the New York Daily News. The problem for Stephenson is that it's not a match made in heaven. The Nets aren't itching to trade for the 24-year-old Coney Island native, so he's likely to stay with the Charlotte Hornets the rest of the season.
NBA trade rumors roundup 2015: Lance Stephenson likes Brooklyn, but the feeling isn’t mutual
The Coney Island native wants to play in Brooklyn, but the market for the 24-year-old wing is tepid.
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There’s no market for the player who led the NBA in triple-doubles last season, according to Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
After leading the Indiana Pacers in the 2014 playoffs, Stephenson signed a three-year, $27 million deal with the Hornets in the offseason. He hasn't played to his ability in Charlotte, though. After averaging 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game last season, those numbers have dropped significantly to nine points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game this year. Plus, he's reportedly clashed with coach Steve Clifford.
The Hornets, meanwhile, are in the playoff hunt, currently in seventh place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 22-30 at the All-Star break.
The Nets, who are just one game back at 21-31, were in talks to trade for Stephenson earlier in the season, but the trade possibility fizzled. Mason Plumlee endorsed the idea of bringing Stephenson to Brooklyn, but Nets general manager Billy King told OurBKSocial he doubts they'll do anything -- not that he won't be working the phones up until Thursday's trade deadline.
In the meantime, Stephenson is focused on playing at the level he’s capable. He needs to get his “hunger” back, he told the New York Daily News.
Nets Daily took at look at Stephenson’s pro-Brooklyn comments.
76ers ready and willing to make moves
The 76ers don’t have the expiring contracts they had at last year’s trade deadline, but that doesn’t mean they won’t make a few moves before Thursday. The young core should stay intact, but the 76ers could move Luc Mbah a Moute for a large, expiring contract and another draft pick, according to Tom Moore of the Philadelphia Intelligencer.
Philadelphia is likely to make some minor trades, but an NBA source said they won’t come until closer to Thursday, when teams get more serious.
Head to Liberty Ballers for 76ers news and rumors.
Celtics keeping an eye on Enes Kanter
Kanter, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, is reportedly unhappy with his situation with the Utah Jazz. The Celtics, who are searching for more size inside to pair with Kelly Olynyk, are keeping tabs on the Turkish big man, according to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE. Blakely reported the Celtics aren't expected to make a run at Kanter now, but are monitoring the "disgruntled center."
In his fourth NBA season, Kanter is averaging 13.8 points and 7.8 rebounds in 27.1 minutes per game. Celtics Blog notes Kanter isn’t the rim protector the team needs, though: He’s only averaging 0.3 blocks per game. The young big would be a solid addition to the future core of the franchise.
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