Nate Taylor

nate.taylor@indystar.com

ORLANDO, Fla. – As Larry Bird continues to revamp the Indiana Pacers’ roster this offseason, his next move could be the return of a player who previously flourished under his watch: Lance Stephenson.

Stephenson has discussed the possibility of agreeing to a multiyear deal with the Pacers, a league source confirmed to IndyStar. Stephenson, a combo guard who became an unrestricted free agent last week after Memphis declined his team option, is open to returning to the Pacers next season.

“That’s home for him,” the source said of what Indianapolis means to Stephenson. “He absolutely loves the town and the organization.”

Indiana is one of the few teams that Stephenson is considering after the first three days of the NBA’s free agency period. He also has interest in possibly re-signing with the Grizzlies, who acquired him in February before the trade deadline.

The Pacers have around $10 million left in their salary cap after agreeing to terms with Al Jefferson and could use most of that money to sign Stephenson. Since he left Indiana two seasons ago, Stephenson has continued to have strong relationships with Paul George and Bird, the Pacers’ president.

Doyel: Spineless Kevin Durant move shows plight of Pacers, others

Still just 25, Stephenson was one of Bird's best draft finds, selected 40th overall in 2010, but he was a polarizing figure during his time with the Pacers. Love him or hate him, he brought high energy – and plenty of antics – during the Pacers' run to consecutive Eastern Conference finals in 2013-14.

Stephenson improved during his four years in Indiana and his production increased with each season. In 2013-14, his final year with the Pacers, he averaged 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists, all career highs, and made a strong case for an All-Star nod.

That offseason, the Pacers tried to retain Stephenson with a five-year, $44 million deal.

“I wanted to stay there, but they gave me a deadline where I had to choose,” Stephenson said of Bird in October 2014. “So there wasn't no time for me to make a decision. They gave me a deadline (before) how long it (was) going to take for them to go somewhere else. I had to make a quick decision and me and my agent decided we would see what other teams (were) talking about.”

The Pacers eventually moved on from Stephenson and signed C.J. Miles.

Stephenson soon after signed a three-year deal worth $27 million with the Charlotte Hornets. But Stephenson had the worst season of his career with the Hornets and never found a comfortable role. He averaged just 8.2 points and 4.5 rebounds and shot an abysmal 37.6 percent from the field, including 17.1 percent from behind the arc. He was traded to the L.A. Clippers after the 2014-15 season.

He was a massive disappointment last season with the Clippers, averaging just 4.7 points and 2.5 rebounds in 43 games before being traded. He was more successful with the Grizzlies as they gave him more minutes. In 26 games in Memphis, Stephenson averaged 14.2 points and 4.4 rebounds.

“He played great for Memphis,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers told ESPN.com in May. “He wasn’t a great fit for us. Defensively, that's where I was more disappointed, and shocked. I look at that body, and that athleticism, and I think: That's a prototypical great defender. And he's not that.”

With the Pacers, Stephenson could be another ballhandler and perimeter defender off the bench for coach Nate McMillan. Known for his athleticism and high intensity, Stephenson would fit within Bird’s desire to have versatile players who can play within an up-tempo offense.

Bird already appears to have improved the Pacers’ roster this offseason by adding three veterans. Bird acquired Jeff Teague and Thaddeus Young in trades before the draft and reached an agreement Friday with Jefferson on a three-year, $30 million deal.

Lance Stephenson on Pacers: 'I wanted to be there'

After the past two seasons, Stephenson desires to have stability with his next team as he tries to rebuild his career. The Pacers intrigue Stephenson because he experienced such an environment here before and is fond of the memories he created with George, David West, George Hill and Roy Hibbert.

Pacers fans, in particular on Twitter, have let Stephenson know they want him to return. Stephenson has noticed some of the fans’ requests. On his Twitter account as of Monday afternoon, the last four tweets Stephenson liked, which can be viewed by any user, were of Pacers fans asking him to come back to the team.

“He would definitely love to be there,” the source said of Stephenson. “I know Indy’s got a special place in his heart.”

Call IndyStar reporter Nate Taylor at (317) 444-6484. Follow him on Twitter: @ByNateTaylor.

Get all the insight on the Pacers by downloading our app: http://bit.ly/1BR4fDs