INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana Pacers are parting ways with guard Lance Stephenson, the gritty veteran who brought energy off the bench in last season's surprising run to the playoffs. The team will not pick up the team option next season, Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard said Monday. "This was a very difficult decision, but as free agency begins on July 1, we want to have flexibility so that we can prepare for all of our available options," he said. A year ago, Pritchard decided to trade star Paul George before almost surely losing him in free agency and got Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis from Oklahoma City in a deal that turned out remarkably well for Indiana. Oladipo emerged as a leader, earned his first All-Star trip and won the league's steals title.Read more on NewsOK.com