The Charlotte Hornets are reportedly aggressively making trade calls over the past several days after having a disappointing start this season.
According to Zach Lowe of Grantland, the Hornets, who are currently 12th in the Eastern Conference standings with a 4-14 record, are looking for upgrades on their power forward and wing rotation.
In order to acquire the players that they need, Charlotte reportedly made all players available in trades aside from Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson, which means that newly-acquired guard Lance Stephenson is also on the block.
Stephenson, who signed a three-year, $27 million deal with the Hornets during the offseason, has yet to live up to expectation this season, forcing the Hornets to make him available in trade discussions.
"The Hornets are searching for upgrades on the wing and at power forward, per those sources, and they are willing to talk turkey on basically anyone other than Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson," Lowe wrote. "Free agents signed this past offseason can't be traded until December 15, and few would be surprised if the Hornets make and take calls on Lance Stephenson ahead of that trigger date.
Stephenson had a breakout year with the Indiana Pacers last season as he averaged career-highs 13.8 points to go along with 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists.
When the Hornets signed him, team officials and their fans expected him to post similar or even better numbers, considering the fact that he will have a bigger role this season than last year, but the 24-year-old guard is averaging just 9.6 points per game this season.
Rival team executives said that it is too early to judge Stephenson because he is still adjusting into a new system that relies primarily on Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson, but they won't be surprise if the Hornets eventually decide to part ways with the fifth-year guard.
Gerald Henderson, whose role was reduced after the Hornets signed Stephenson, could also change zip codes this season as he is also among the players who could be traded before the deadline.
Sam Amick of USA Today reported that the Hornets are also shopping Henderson, who is also struggling to fit into his new role this season. The 26-year-old is averaging just 6.8 points and 2.3 rebounds this season - way lower than his last season's average of 14.0 points and 4.0 assists.
