Lakers Rumors: Ranking how each rumored target would fit in LA
By Jason Reed
4. Rodney Stuckey
Recent reports are surfacing that the Lakers have interest in free agent guard Rodney Stuckey. Stuckey, like another potential target Monta Ellis, was released by the Indiana Pacers. While it is understandable in why the Lakers would have interest in Stuckey, out of all of their potential options, he is the least suitable option.
Stuckey is no stranger to taking a back seat in the NBA and taking a bench role. In his ten seasons in the NBA Stuckey has only started 302 games opposed to the 349 he has came off the bench for. In the past four seasons, he has started just 42 games for the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons, with 36 of those occurring in 2014-15.
Stuckey would bring in a great veteran dynamic to this Lakers team, however. With young guys like Ball, Jordan Clarkson, and Josh Hart in the backcourt they could use a veteran presence like Stuckey to aid their progression. However, the Lakers would be better pressed to bring in a starting shooting guard, or a more traditional point guard to back up Ball.
Bringing in someone who would see minutes off the bench, mostly at shooting guard, may not be the best route for the Lakers. Sure, they can move Clarkson to back up Ball, but they should only do that if they are bringing in a starting caliber two guard.
With his 7.2 points, 2.2 assists, and 2.2 rebounds per game last year it is evident Stuckey has taken a big hit in production. The last thing LA needs is another regressing player.