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Brooklyn Nets rumors: Nets 1 of 5 teams at Rodney Stuckey Vegas workout

By Phil Watson

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 21: Rodney Stuckey #2 of the Indiana Pacers shoots against the Brooklyn Nets during the game on March 21, 2015 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 21: Rodney Stuckey #2 of the Indiana Pacers shoots against the Brooklyn Nets during the game on March 21, 2015 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Free agent guard Rodney Stuckey is looking for a 2018-19 contract and according to the latest Brooklyn Nets rumors, the Nets were 1 of 5 teams at a workout.

Some fresh Brooklyn Nets rumors circulated Thursday afternoon indicating the Nets were one of five teams to send representatives to a Las Vegas workout being held by free-agent guard Rodney Stuckey.

Stuckey did not play last season and has been out of the NBA since being waived by the Indiana Pacers in March 2017.

The workout was first reported by ESPN’s Chris Haynes on Wednesday:

European basketball writer David Pick reported the Nets were one of five teams to send representatives to the session, which featured Stuckey working out at Impact Sports in Vegas.

Other teams were reportedly the Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs and his former club, the Pacers.

Stuckey turned 32 in April, a bit of an advanced age for a unique fixer-upper project. The 10-year veteran was cut loose by the Pacers late in the 2016-17 season after being limited to 39 games due to hamstring and ankle problems.

That came a season after Stuckey appeared in just 58 games because of a lingering injury to his right ankle.

Stuckey is a bit of an anacronism as an NBA guard in 2018-19, a slashing mid-range shooter who does little to space the floor, shooting just 30 percent from 3-point range in his career and only having one season (2014-15 when he hit 39 percent) when he shot better than 31.7 percent.

At his peak, he was an effective bench scorer with the Detroit Pistons, averaging 13.4 points per game over his seven seasons there, and he put up 12.6 points per game as a part-time starter with Indiana in 2014-15 before injuries began to take their toll.

With PER isn’t a be-all, end-all rating, it is telling that Stuckey’s PER over his most recent three seasons cratered from 15.4 (just above average) in 2014-15 to 12.6 in 2015-16 and 9.5 in 2016-17.

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That is a steep downhill slope, particularly for a player that was essentially a one-way threat. Defensively, he was at best neutral in terms of win shares and a net minus in defensive box plus-minus over the course of his prime.

In 2016-17, he averaged a career-low 7.2 points per game in 39 games, also averaging 2.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 17.8 minutes a night (also a career-low). His shooting line was an unattractive .373/.317/.748.

In his 10 seasons, Stuckey put up 12.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 27.5 minutes a game on .423//300/.824 shooting.

This is one of those instances where the Nets may be doing their due diligence in an on-going quest to improve their talent level.

But it’s hard to see a fit for Stuckey in a crowded backcourt that includes D’Angelo Russell, Jeremy Lin, Spencer Dinwiddie and (at least for now) Isaiah Whitehead at the point and Joe Harris, Caris LeVert, rookie Dzanan Musa and two-way player Milton Doyle as wing options.

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Best of luck to Stuckey in his quest for one more season in the Association, but it’s very unlikely at first glance that Brooklyn will be a place where that can happen.

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