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Prepare for stories of big-name free agents being courted in the wee hours of Tuesday morning shortly after the calendar turns to July 1 thus tipping off the NBA free agent signing period.
Since the Pacers signed Paul George to a long-term deal prior to the season, their attention now officially turns to Lance Stephenson as the biggest name on the roster looking for a contract worthy of a starting guard in the league.
Of course, Stephenson brings so much to the bargaining table -- some that gives him leverage and some that doesn't -- which will make his foray into free agency one of the top story lines of the offseason, not only for the Pacers but the NBA, as well.
The big story will emerge out of Miami with LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade hitting the market. James is finally trying to get paid like the best player in the game but those efforts will make it a challenge to the trio together in Miami.
Tom Ziller considered all of the storylines while compiling a comprehensive look at his Top 75 free agents. Lance sits at number 11 on the list. Here's what TZ had to say.
Born Ready is one of those players who has excelled on a good team, but would carry huge questions if he went to a lesser team with a larger role. The problem is that his best chance at a payday will come from a lesser team that expects him to play a bigger role. It's a real conundrum! Given that the Pacers can go over the cap to re-sign Stephenson, Indiana has a strong chance of keeping him (if it wants to). But never count out the ability of a bad team with gobs of cap space to ruin Indiana's plan.
Evan Turner checks in on the list at no. 34 right between Nate Robinson and Darrell Arthur, with Lavoy Allen at no. 65. Other names of note on the list include: Gordon Hayward (13), Darren Collison (30), Jermaine O'Neal (39), Josh McRoberts (60), Danny Granger (69) and Greg Oden (70). Check out the whole list which also includes a comprehensive list of unranked free agents to ponder.