Stephenson will start at either shooting guard or small forward to commence the 2014-15 season, the Charlotte Observer reports.

Depending upon the competition between two-guard Gerald Henderson and small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Stephenson will step in at the two or three on opening night. Coach Steve Clifford iterated that Stephenson won't necessarily take on a significant portion of the offensive burden, especially with Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker present. Instead, the versatility displayed by Stephenson in Indiana should represent his upcoming lines, after averaging 13.8 points (on 49 percent shooting), 7.2 boards, 4.6 assists, 1.1 three-pointers, and 0.7 steals in 35 minutes per contest last year.

Stephenson will be used in both the shooting guards and small forward roles according to head coach Steve Clifford this season, the Charlotte Observer reports.

Stephenson's signing offers various options for the Hornets this season. The fact that they have a younger team with guys who can play various roles allows for movement of players in and out of the starting lineup, as well as for positions on the court. As for Stephenson, Clifford was quoted on his signing, saying "It's going to impact a number of guys � Lance can play (shooting guard or small forward)." With impact players like Kemba Walker, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and Gerald Henderson, the Hornets have options they didn't have last year and can definitely move those players around to find the right rotations and win more games. Stephenson's career highs last year in points (13.8), rebounds (7.2), and assists (4.6) should earn him a starting role and be able to be another impact player that can help the Hornets make a significant playoff push.

President Larry Bird said he feels "really bad" about losing Lance Stephenson.

"I hope it doesn't interfere with our relationship," Bird said. "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." Stephenson will likely start at shooting guard for the Hornets next season and bump Gerald Henderson over to small forward for some of his playing time.

Lance Stephenson officially signed with the Hornets on Friday.

Stephenson had a breakout season last year, leading the league in triple-doubles, and averaging career-highs across the board. If he can keep his act together, he could be in for a fantastic fantasy season in Charlotte as the team's unquestioned starting shooting guard.

Lance Stephenson's representatives released a full statement on Wednesday thanking the Indiana Pacers after signing a 3-year deal with the Hornets.

"Lance is forever grateful for all the love he's received from Pacers fans," the statement reads. "He is especially grateful to his teammates, Frank Vogel, Herb Simon, the Pacers management and, most of all, Larry Bird." Bird is often credited with developing Stephenson into one of the most dynamic guards in the NBA. However, the two sides could not agree to terms on a contract. "While we tried our best to come to the best possible terms for both sides there was not sufficient flexibility in the terms of the contract, particularly the length of the contract." The Pacers wanted Lance on a 5-year contract, while Stephenson's camp wanted a short-term deal with the same annual pay. A compromise was never reached and Lance is now a Charlotte Hornet.

The Hornets have won the Lance Stephenson sweepstakes, agreeing to a three-year, $27 million contract with the controversial guard.

The Hornets hold a team option for the third year, while Lance will make $9 million in each of the next two seasons. Stephenson is very talented and could put up some monster numbers in Charlotte, while this could end up coming back to bite Larry Bird you know where. But there is also some risk that Stephenson will have trouble holding it together over the next few years. Additionally, the Hawks just missed out on yet another free agent, as the pickings are starting to get real slim.

The Hornets are reportedly considering the possibility of signing unrestricted FA Lance Stephenson.

Charlotte took a shot at Gordon Hayward, but lost him when Utah matched their offer, so they're looking at Stephenson as a possible upgrade on the wings. The Mavericks are no longer in the running, having signed Chandler Parsons, and there aren't many other teams overtly interested in Stephenson, who turned down a five-year, $44 million offer to re-sign with the Pacers.

If Houston elects to match the Mavs three-year, $46 million offer for Chandler Parsons, the Mavs will turn their attention to Lance Stephenson as a Plan B option.

"Hopefully, the Rockets won't match and we'll have Chandler and that changes what we're able to do," said Mark Cuban. "But Lance is certainly on the list." With Trevor Ariza signing in Houston, it seems very unlikely that the Rockets would choose to match the Mavs offer for Parsons, but it's worth noting Dallas' interest in Stephenson.

The Mavericks are expected to pursue unrestricted free agent Lance Stephenson if the Rockets match their offer sheet on Chandler Parsons.

Parsons' deal is around $15 million per season, so they would essentially offer up something close to that allotment to try and sign Lance. With Monta Ellis playing well at shooting guard, Stephenson may need to adjust at the three. Although, Monta could play the point more.

The Hornets are expected to aggressively pursue free agent SG Lance Stephenson, but he's also being sought after by the Mavericks and Pacers.

More teams could join the mix as the free agent market continues to narrow its focus, and Stephenson is already one of the best available players remaining. The Hornets have about $20 million in salary cap space after missing out on Gordon Hayward, and they're in position to offer much more than Indy's original five-year, $44 million proposal. The Mavericks, meanwhile, can't actively pursue him until the Rockets decide whether to match Dallas' offer sheet for Chandler Parsons.

Unrestricted free agent Lance Stephenson has reportedly received interest from the Celtics.

The Celtics currently only have one shooting guard on the roster in Avery Bradley, so it makes sense that they'd have interest in Stephenson. Stephenson is not close to signing a deal anywhere, and he's also received interest from the Lakers, Mavericks. The Pacers offered Lance a five-year deal worth $44 million, but he'll see if he can fetch a greater offer on the open market.

The Lakers and Mavericks are interested in unrestricted free agent Lance Stephenson.

It's not hard to figure out that these teams have interest in Stephenson. He's basically a backup plan behind LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, so it would be wise for Stephenson to just wait it out until the dominoes start falling. The Pacers and Stephenson seem far apart on a deal worth around $44 million over five years.

The Pacers spoke with Lance Stephenson on Friday and the two sides are no closer on an agreement than they were since Tuesday.

The Pacers have said all along that signing Lance is a priority, but it doesn't sound like they'll get him at a five-year, $44 million deal. The Hornets also have some cap space to go after Stephenson, but they are also in on Gordon Hayward.

Lance Stephenson and the Pacers have reached an "impasse" in contract negotiations, as Stephenson isn't ready to accept the team's five-year, $44 million offer.

"Lance and his representatives aren't sure they're going to be able to reach an agreement with the Pacers," a source told ESPN's Chris Broussard. The two sides have mutual interest and Indiana hosted Stephenson at a local theater on Tuesday, where they screened a movie about his life as part of their pitch, but so far the 23-year-old SG is holding out for more money -- with Jodie Meeks already landing a three-year, $19 million deal in free agency, it's a reasonable stance. Stephenson has also drawn interest from the Lakers, Bulls and Hornets.

President Larry Bird said on Thursday that there's "no question" that Lance Stephenson wants to stay with the Pacers next season.

"No it's just about getting the terms right and try to get him back," Bird added. The Pacers should have enough room to bring back Stephenson, but some teams will certainly drive the price up on him. Stephenson was phenomenal in the early part of the year thanks to very effective shooting around the rim, but he really slowed down in the second half.

The chatter surrounding Lance Stephenson's market has been relatively quiet, according to league sources.

The 23-year-old will hit the market as an unrestricted free agent this summer, but his playoff antics and notoriously difficult personality seem to be early stumbling blocks for most teams. Stephenson is of an age and talent level that he could demand a max contract with a straight face, but his actions in the playoffs are thought to have solidified the perception of him as a player who might rock the boat in any team's locker room. The Hornets and Pistons are two teams that have cap room and could have interest, but there is also a good possibility that Stephenson winds up back in a Pacers' uniform if a market for his services doesn't materialize.

Lance Stephenson would like to remain with the Pacers, according to his agent.

Stephenson had a strange end to the 2013-14 season (that included blowing in LeBron James' ear during the Eastern Conference Finals), but he's still only 23 years old and is a talented player. He'll have no shortage of suitors over the offseason, but his agent Alberto Ebanks made it clear he'd like to remain with the Pacers, "They are a quality organization from the top down," Ebanks said. "We are going to try to get a deal done. The communication has been there for the last four years with the Pacers and it has been beneficial for the Pacers and for Lance. I hope we can come to terms."

Larry Bird would like to keep his core group of players intact, including Lance Stephenson.

"I always want him back," Bird said when asked directly if he wants Lance back for next season. "You just don't let talent like that walk away if you can help it." Sure, Stephenson was a bit of a sideshow during this year's playoffs, but he still lead the league in triple-doubles this past season while averaging career highs across the board. Stephenson is sure to be a hot commodity this offseason.

The Pacers' off-season has officially begun and with that comes several decisions to make, including the status of Lance Stephenson.

Stephenson is an unrestricted free agent and will likely be a hot commodity this summer after a breakout campaign. However, the Pacers have already committed to $64.9 million in salary for next season, meaning Stephenson could push the Pacers over the luxury tax line. The boastful shooting guard made a lot of waves by messing with LeBron James during the Eastern Conference Finals but is still a player most teams would like to have.

Lance Stephenson was a sideshow in the Pacers' series-ending loss to the Pacers in Game 6 on Friday, scoring 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting with three treys, four rebounds and one assist as he set new standards for embarrassing play.

Stephenson orchestrated cheap shot after cheap shot and on a night when the Pacers were down by a handful of touchdowns all night it was a really bad look. Paul George scored 29 points on 8-of-18 shooting with eight boards, two steals and a block, and David West scored 16 points on 8-of-11 shooting but had just four rebounds. Roy Hibbert was his typical anemic self with just eight points and four boards as he was predictably targeted on defense. His big contract along with question marks up and down the roster will make for an uneasy offseason.