Lance Stephenson talks on hold as offers don't impress Charlotte

ESPN reports that the Hornets have put their efforts to trade Lance Stephenson on hold. The 6'5" guard, who Charlotte signed in the summer, did not get the level of interest they anticipated.This follows a Yahoo! report yesterday that the market for Stephenson is "lean."

It's well known in league circles that the Brooklyn native and Hornets coach Steve Clifford do not get along and Clifford wants him out of Charlotte, who are a disappointing 6-19, losers of four straight and eight of their last ten.

Chris Broussard, who first tweeted the ESPN report Thursday night, and Ramona Shelburne, indicate that the Nets were among the teams whose bids did not overwhelm Charlotte.

"While sources say as many as seven teams registered interest, including Miami and Brooklyn, no offers intrigued Charlotte and several teams that called did not make trade proposals," the two write. Stephenson had suggested in the middle of the Hornets slow start that he would like to play for his hometown team before he retires but right now, he is committed to Charlotte.

League sources tell NetsDaily the Nets interest in Stephenson is limited at best.

Five days ago, Adrian Wojnarowski wrote that the Hornets might be interested in Brook Lopez, who the team nearly signed to an offer sheet in 2012 when he was a restricted free agent. He also wrote that the Nets were one of two teams --the other being Stephenson's former team, the Pacers-- Charlotte was targeting as potential trade partners. The Pacers and Clippers reportedly wanted the Hornets to include a first round pick in a package for Stephenson. Then on Thursday morning, Woj reported the "trade market for Lance Stephenson continues to be lean for Charlotte, league sources tell Yahoo. Talks with Indiana yet to gain traction."

The ESPN report Friday did not mention the sour relations relations between Stephenson and Clifford, but quoted team officials as suggesting Stephenson's show start might be health related.

"Stephenson is expected to miss the next two games because of the groin and did not travel to Philadelphia for Friday's game against the 76ers," Broussard and Shelburne wrote. "Charlotte feels the injury has affected Stephenson's movement and conditioning, according to sources, and that just as he was getting healthy, he reinjured the groin Wednesday against Phoenix."

• Charlotte Hornets to keep Lance Stephenson 'for now' - Chris Broussard & Ramona Shelburne - ESPN