INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Pacers announced Tuesday the team has officially re-signed veteran free agent Rodney Stuckey to a new contract. The official details of the contract have not been released due to club policy, but various NBA insiders have stated that it was a three-year deal, worth $21 million. The final year of the deal is a player option, according to league sources.
The Indiana Pacers organization knew how important it was to re-sign Rodney Stuckey, which was why they made it one of their top priorities. Stuckey would've officially signed the contract earlier, but he had a wedding during the middle of July. Stuckey pushed back his honeymoon in order to sign this deal to make it official.
"I felt all along it was important to re-sign Rodney," said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird. "He proved to us last year how much he could help. He’s a pro and a good teammate. We’re really happy to have him back. He added a lot to our team, on and off the court."
"There was a little bit of waiting but at the end of the day, I knew what it was. I had a great talk with Larry (Bird) and those guys when the season was over and this was where I wanted to be," said Stuckey about the signing process. "I had a great year last year and had fun with the coaching staff and my teammates … and I knew I wanted to come back here."
Many were speculating whether or not Stuckey was waiting to make his official decision based on what Monta Ellis decided to do. It turned out that it was false, and Stuckey didn't care what happened with Ellis because Stuckey still wants to come off the bench. Stuckey wants to be the leader of the second unit and be the primary ball handler behind George Hill.
"Whatever coach wants me to do. I haven't really talked to those guys about what they want me to do. If they want me to go in there and back George Hill up, I'll do that," Stuckey said regarding his role for next season. "I just can't wait to get out on the court and play with all these guys. This year, we're all going to come into training camp healthy. We're all just going to be competing. That's most important to come in healthy and ready to play. Last year we didn't have that opportunity because we were all hurt. Hopefully, this year will be a lot different."
Rodney Stuckey hasn't been able to do much conditioning, but he will be working hard in his Eastern Washington home for the rest of the off-season. He will return to doing his routine of two-a-days that consist of weight training at his house in the morning, then on-court work at his old high school. This is the same routine that he followed last season, allowing him to have such a great season.
"I see a great roster. I love the assets that Bird went out and got. He said he wanted to play faster, we're going to be able to do that this year," Stuckey said regarding the Pacers' off-season moves. "I'm very excited for this year, it's going to be fun. I think we have all the right pieces to get to where we need to go."
This new system will perfectly compliment Rodney Stuckey's skill set, and it only helps that he has a fitting team too. Stuckey will be able to have help on defense, have a spaced floor, have a pushed tempo, and have a primary ball handler role that he thrives in. Stuckey is primed for another great season with all of the hard work he will be putting in, but even more so when you evaluate his situation on the Pacers.
Note: Check back with VAVEL-USA to see how Rodney Stuckey will thrive with the Pacers in 2015-16.