Pacers' George on Stephenson: 'I do want Lance coming back'

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With LeBron James entering the division, Paul George knows the Indiana Pacers will need all the help they can get. 

Re-signing unrestricted free agent Lance Stephenson would go a long way in keeping the Pacers as one of the favorites in the Eastern Conference, but George understands and appreciates Stephenson going through the process of finding the best situation for him. 

"I was a restricted free agent so I didn't have to go through this," George told the Indianapolis Star. "So this is really up to Lance but I do want Lance coming back. I love being teammates with Lance. If he needs any words or anything to talk about, I'm always here for Lance."

George acknowledged while the pair are friends, he's been letting Stephenson formulate his own decision on where he'll play next season. 

"I know how stressful this can be," George said. "I don't want to add more to it. Whenever he wants to come out to me, I'm there."