The Charlotte Hornets tried to execute a similar Lance Stephenson trade with the Los Angeles Clippers last season before Doc Rivers backed out.

The Clippers traded Spencer Hawes and Matt Barnes to the Hornets for Stephenson on Monday.

In terms of locker room and on-court chemistry, the deal is a risky one for the Clippers. But the deal is actually low-risk financially because the final year of Stephenson's three-year, $27 million contract is a team option.

Hawes went to Cabo with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan after the season. Barnes and Chris Paul got to be good friends after Barnes' twins and Paul's son became inseparable during and after games.