It’s been a busy week for NBA rumors, especially when it comes to Lance Stephenson as the Charlotte Hornets swingman has been on the trade block for quite some time now. In fact, it appears as if the former Indiana Pacers star who made waves for blowing in the ear of LeBron James was nearly traded by the Hornets to the Brooklyn Nets.
That’s the word from Nets Daily who says Lance Stephenson being traded to the Nets by the Hornets in exchange for Brook Lopez was essentially a done deal and Charlotte was preparing to call the NBA offices to complete the deal.
However, before that occurred, there was a snag and the Lance Stephenson trade which was assumed to be completed was taken off the table.
Told closest Nets got to trading one of big three (no caps) was in Jan, when Hornets offered Lance Stephenson & Cody Zeller for Lopez.
— NetsDaily.com (@NetsDaily) February 11, 2015
@ZachLowe_NBA told Charlotte was ready to call league offices. #thatclose — NetsDaily.com (@NetsDaily) February 11, 2015
What exactly held up the deal is not known, though the Brooklyn Nets have shown a reluctance to trade Brook Lopez as they also backed out of a deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder which would have sent Kendrick Perkins and Jeremy Lamb back East.
Should be interesting to see if the Nets finally decide to cut ties with Lopez before the NBA trade deadline or if they keep the talented though oft-injured big man on board.
For what it’s worth, the Nets have suggested this was untrue though that’s an expected response as no team wants to show their cards.
