Last offseason, Rodney Stuckey signed a one-year minimum deal with the Pacers in hopes of rebuilding his reputation after a disappointing season with the Pistons. He was a bright spot in an injury-riddled year for Indiana, and now he’s been rewarded with a three-year, $21 million deal to stay in Indiana, according to RealGM’s Shams Charania:
It’s a solid deal for Stuckey, who will probably take a sixth-man role with the addition of Monta Ellis to the Pacers’ backcourt. Given the injuries they dealt with last year, they can never have enough guard depth, and bringing back Stuckey on a reasonable deal is a good way to ensure that.
Indiana free agent Rodney Stuckey has agreed in principle on a three-year, $21 million contract to re-sign with the Pacers, league sources told RealGM.
Stuckey’s deal will hold a player option on the third season, sources said.
For Stuckey, the free agency priority entailed re-signing with the Pacers or joining an NBA playoff threat elsewhere. Several NBA teams pursued Stuckey, including the Washington Wizards and Indiana Pacers. Still, the 6-foot-5 guard emerged as the Pacers’ top option to retain two days into free agency.
It’s a solid deal for Stuckey, who will probably take a sixth-man role with the addition of Monta Ellis to the Pacers’ backcourt. Given the injuries they dealt with last year, they can never have enough guard depth, and bringing back Stuckey on a reasonable deal is a good way to ensure that.