Pacers re-sign Stuckey on $21m/3 deal

I wasn’t optimistic that Stuckey would re-sign with the Pacers despite him expressing an intention to stay in Indy and help the team that rebuilt his image and career last season. Money was a problem and so was the chance to win a title, and apparently contenders had been knocking on his door with wads of cash throughout this free agency period.

But Bird kept his promise and rewarded Stuckey with a $21m contract over the next three years, with a player option in the third year. Stuckey’s patience paid off as he waited for the Pacers to deal with Hibbert’s contract first, and the risk paid off with a huge salary bump over last season’s minimum contract. He deserved it after averaging 12.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 71 games, with 36 starts.

Now the Pacers’ roster for next season is shaping up quite nicely, especially in the backcourt. You have solid do-it-all George Hill paired with high-energy scoring guard Monta Ellis in guard spots to start, with combo guard Stuckey being the first man off the bench to spell both those guys. CJ Miles can play some two, as can Paul George. That’s a very solid rotation of five guys. Ideally, a third string point guard would be good as injury insurance.

Up front, it remains to be seen whether the Pacers will be able to re-sign Luis Scola, their back-up four last season who could become the new starter if he stays. There is a market, albeit a small one, for Scola, who could end up in San Antonio to play with his Argentine teammate Manu Ginobili, if Manu decides to play another season.

If they don’t retain Scola, the Pacers will be awfully thin in the front court with just foul machine Ian Mahinmi as the likely starter at the five, Lavoy Allen backing him up or playing the four, rookie Myles Turner (who is just 19), and second-year player Shayne Whittington, who is battling just to survive in the league. So look for the Pacers to lock up a big man with that remaining cap space. Personally, I’d prefer to see someone who might represent a bit of a risk but has upside, as opposed to an established veteran who might be serviceable but won’t be a mid- to long-term solution.

Exciting times ahead!