The New Jersey Nets have officially signed wing DeShawn Stevenson, general manager Billy King announced on Friday. Though terms of the contract have not been released, multiple reports suggest that the deal will be worth $2.5 million for one season.
Stevenson, an 11-year veteran with career averages of 7.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists, helped Dallas win an NBA championship last season by averaging 5.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 16 minutes per game.
Though nobody will ever confuse Stevenson for a star, he possesses a ruggedness that makes him a valuable defensive contributor. That mentality was demonstrated most loudly during the NBA Finals, when Stevenson was given the task of defending LeBron James and the two-time NBA MVP became surprisingly silent.
Stevenson also manages to spread the floor on the other end with his ability to hit threes, making 37.8 percent of his downtown attempts last season.
"DeShawn is a veteran NBA player who brings a championship pedigree to our roster," said King. "He is a tough defender who can stretch the floor, and will bolster our backcourt rotation."
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