NBA Free Agents 2014: Lance Stephenson's Dad Believes Son Will Stay With Indiana Pacers

Lance Stephenson is having a breakout season and is one of the main reasons why the Indiana Pacers have the best record in the NBA at this point.

But as Stephenson continues to impress with his all-around play this season, NBA analysts believe that the Pacers' chance of keeping him next season is regressing.

Previous reports indicated that the Pacers might not have enough cap space to sign Stephenson to a long-term deal without going over the luxury tax line, but Lance, the father of the 23-year-old guard, believes that the Pacers will make the necessary moves to keep his son.

The elder Stephenson said that he is holding on to the words of Pacers president Larry Bird during a press conference last summer in which the team announced the long-term contract extension signed by Paul George, who had a breakout year last season.

"We're optimistic that he will stay here," the elder Stephenson said. "I listened to Larry Bird say, 'Lance, you'll be sitting here with your dad.' That's what we believe. Until otherwise, that's the plan. Larry Bird said that and we bought into it. We believe it, Lance believes it."

The Pacers can offer a long-term deal to Stephenson but being a small-market team could hurt their chances of keeping the fourth-year guard especially if he continues to attract the interest of other teams.

Sources said that the Pacers are willing to offer up to a $9 million per year contract, but other teams are reportedly willing to offer as much as $11 million. Small-market teams like the Pacers are known to be luxury-tax conscious squads, who are willing to sacrifice talents instead of paying taxes.

Stephenson, who is averaging 14.2 points to go along with 7.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game this season, is reportedly on the Chicago Bulls' radar.

The Chicago Sun-Times recently reported that the Bulls could pursue the former Cincinnati standout if superstars like LeBron James of the Miami Heat and Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks decide to stay with their respective teams or sign elsewhere.

See: Chicago Bulls To Target Lance Stephenson Via 2014 Free Agency

"If they fail to land a star of the magnitude of Anthony or James, there is a consolation prize. The Bulls would love to nab Lance Stephenson from the Indiana Pacers," the Sun-Times reported.