Lance Stephenson Turned Down $44 Million From the Pacers

Depending on your perspective, Lance Stephenson is either a headcase or a star. You either can't stand the guy or you have fully embraced his antics. He is an enigma.

One thing that's undeniable is his talent. The man known in New York City as Born Ready since his grade school days put up 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game for the Indiana Pacers this past season, helping Indiana reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight season, where they fell (again) to the Miami Heat.

A report this morning from ESPN, though, suggests that Stephenson won't be returning to Indiana for the 2014-15 NBA season. The Pacers, who already have big money invested in Paul George, David West and Roy Hibbert, offered Stephenson $44 million over five years. Lance wants more. Or to play somewhere else. Or something. He's probably in search of closer to $10 milli a year.

Reportedly, the Lakers, Bulls and Hornets have interest. Don't sleep on who's running Charlotte either: Michael Jordan.

Wherever he lands, Lance Stephenson is about to have more money than Lance Stephenson should probably ever be allowed to have. And we cannot wait to see what he does with it all.

Never change, Lance.

[via ESPN]