One of my favorite characters in the league has finally signed a contract. DeShawn will head to New Jersey–where they need all the help they can get–for the season on a one-year, $2.5 million deal. From NBA.com…
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.—The New Jersey Nets have signed free agent guard DeShawn Stevenson, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not released.
“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.”
Stevenson (6’5”/218), an 11-year veteran who has played with four teams, holds career averages of 7.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 23 minutes over 717 games, including 481 starts. The California native was selected by the Utah Jazz in the first round (23rd overall) in the 2000 NBA Draft out of Washington Union High School in Fresno, California. Last season with Dallas, Stevenson helped the Mavericks win their first NBA championship, appearing in 72 games, 54 starts, while averaging 5.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 16 minutes per game.
In three plus seasons with Utah, Stevenson appeared in 222 games, 87 starts, while averaging 5.9 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 17 minutes. Midway through the 2003-04 campaign, Stevenson was traded to Orlando, where he spent the next two seasons. With the Magic, he appeared in 243 games, 211 starts, while averaging 10.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 29 minutes per game. Stevenson signed with Washington as a free agent before the 2006-07 season. In three plus seasons with the Wizards, he appeared in 236 games, 202 starts, while averaging 9.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 27.5 minutes. Midway through the 2009-10 campaign, Stevenson was traded to Dallas. Stevenson appeared in 96 games, 59 starts, with the Mavericks, averaging 4.5 points and 1.4 rebounds in 15 minutes per game.
DeShawn is a guy who I would’ve liked to have seen sign on with a contender, but hey, a season with the Nets won’t make him any less entertaining! As a matter of fact, we could be set to see a whole lot more gesticulating after three-point field goals than we have in recent seasons, because DeShawn figures to get quite a few more looks with the Nets than he would elsewhere. New Jersey is one of very few venues where DeShawn shows up and immediately becomes one of the most accomplished offensive players on the active roster. With Brook Lopez out due to foot surgery, only three available players (including Deron Williams) boast a better career high in the scoring category than Stevenson’s 11.4 PPG recorded back in ’03/04. That’s a rather alarming statistic which speaks volumes about New Jersey’s roster, but as a man who very much enjoys a DeShawn Stevenson sighting I see it in a more positive light. Spot up and fire away, DeShawn. There’s absolutely nothing to lose.
On an unrelated note, can anyone explain to me why DeShawn is wearing a Maybach Music chain in this photo? Does he plan to do a little rapping with Rozay? That could be fun.
