ORLANDO, Fla. — Two years ago, Jerry Stackhouse would never have considered joining the Nets.
But after seeing the moves they have made since free agency began on July 1 — including re-signing Deron Williams and Gerald Wallace, coming to an agreement to re-sign Brook Lopez and trading for Joe Johnson — Stackhouse was more than ready to agree to a one-year deal with the Nets Wednesday and reunite with coach Avery Johnson, his former coach in Dallas.
“I still feel like I can get out on the floor, stretch the floor, hit a couple open 3s. … With the guys they have there’s going to be a few available,” Stackhouse said. “There’s not gonna be a shortage of guys ready to knock down open shots when they’re getting so much attention. So hopefully I can still do that a little bit and be a veteran in the locker room.
“I talked to Deron and I think that was one of the things he wanted to have happen, have some veterans in the locker room, because they didn’t really have any last year.”
The move isn’t expected to have a dramatic impact on the court, as Stackhouse isn’t expected to be a big contributor. Instead, his impact likely will be felt more in the locker room and on the practice court.
That’s a similar role to the one Stackhouse filled a year ago with Atlanta, where he averaged 3.6 points in 30 games.
“I think all teams need veteran leadership,” coach Avery Johnson said. “If you look at what some of our opponents have been doing. Oklahoma City has veteran leadership in terms of Nazr Mohammed and Derek Fisher, the Heat has Juwan Howard, the Spurs have … they have enough.
“You’ve got that veteran player that you add to your roster that may not get much playing time, but can help with practices and locker rooms.”
Stackhouse was effusive in his praise for Johnson, whom he played for during Johnson’s entire run with the Mavericks. He hopes to transition into coaching when his playing career ends and is excited to get a chance to play for him again.
“I think it’s a team that went from the bottom and has a chance to go to the top really fast,” Stackhouse said. “Plus, where I want to go and trying to transition to the next level of coaching, I can’t have a better mentor than Avery.”