The Hornets Replaced Lance Stephenson with Two Veterans
On June 15, 2015, Charlotte sent guard Lance Stephenson to the Los Angeles Clippers for center Spencer Hawes and forward Matt Barnes. General manager Rich Cho explained that Hawes could shoot and pass at center while Charlotte would evaluate the options for Barnes. Stephenson had joined Charlotte on a high-profile contract the previous summer but struggled to deliver the expected playmaking and was moving on after one disappointing season. The Clippers wanted to take a chance on a versatile guard whose Indiana seasons had shown promise. No draft pick or cash accompanied the original two-for-one trade. The agreement should be separated from the subsequent Matt Barnes trade to Memphis, which Charlotte completed only ten days later.
Hawes Played Regular Bench Minutes in Charlotte
Hawes appeared in 57 Hornets games during 2015-16, starting six and averaging 6.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists. His ability to stretch the floor from the center position provided a different offensive option from traditional low-post players. The Hornets reached the 2016 playoffs, and Hawes had a supporting rotation role behind the principal starters. Barnes never became a Charlotte regular-season player: the team traded him to Memphis on June 25 for Luke Ridnour, a separate transaction. Charlotte B inherited grade reflects a useful veteran bench presence and the ability to recover another asset from Barnes, while acknowledging that Hawes was not a high-volume star. His later Milwaukee minutes are unrelated to the original direct Hornets return.
Stephenson Did Not Rediscover His Indiana Form in Los Angeles
Stephenson appeared in 43 Clippers games during 2015-16, with no long-term path to becoming the starting lead guard. The team moved him to Memphis in February 2016 as part of another transaction involving Jeff Green. He was a worthwhile positional gamble because of his defense and passing reputation, but the realized Clippers tenure lasted only part of one season. Their C+ inherited grade reflects a short experiment that did not yield the consistent production the front office originally sought. Charlotte obtained more immediate rotation utility from Hawes and optionality from Barnes, while Los Angeles took on a contract to test whether a former high-level Indiana role player could rebound. The deal illustrates the value and limits of exchanging two known veterans for a declining trade asset.
Final Verdict
Even Trade according to the inherited label, although Charlotte grades B and the Clippers C+. Charlotte obtained Spencer Hawes, who played 57 games with six starts at 6.0 points in 2015-16, and traded Matt Barnes again. Los Angeles received Lance Stephenson for a shorter experiment.